In a 12-game college football season, every outcome is significant. But Pitt’s showdown with… In a 12-game college football season, every outcome is significant. But Pitt’s showdown with Iowa tomorrow could have the same effect on its 2008 campaign that its opponent’s home state usually yields for political primaries. If the Panthers fall at Heinz Field yet again, they might as well drop out of the Big East race. Now with a record of 1-1, Dave Wannstedt’s team was smoked at home by Bowling Green in its opener three weeks ago. It appeared after the defeat that the loss may not have been so bad, until the Falcons subsequently lost to Minnesota (possibly the worst team in the Big Ten) and Boise State. Pitt rebounded to beat Buffalo, but the opening loss makes the Iowa contest even more important. If Pitt loses to the Hawkeyes and drops to 1-2, then future games on the schedule won’t look as winnable as previously believed. Iowa is a middle-of-the-road Big Ten squad at best. It is undefeated at 3-0, but two of those victories were demolitions of Maine and Florida International ‘mdash; not exactly Michigan and Florida. Then the Hawkeyes struggled to put away Iowa State last week, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns to win. One of those scores came on a punt return. Iowa has a quality running back in 5-foot-11-inch, 235-pound Shonn Greene. Greene already has tallied 359 yards on only 55 carries, but he’s the only positive of the Hawkeye offense. The team hasn’t settled on a quarterback, with both Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi laboring to succeed. If Iowa wants to score, it will go through Greene. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was a hot up-and-comer in 2004, after leading his team to three consecutive 10-win seasons. Since then, the Hawkeyes have only won 22 games. Ferentz, who was considered for NFL jobs leading into 2005, runs a pro-style of football that is similar to that of Wannstedt. As a result, don’t expect many points in this game, especially with the limited number of offensive weapons on Ferentz’s side. But Pitt does have those weapons. LeSean McCoy lacks a 100-yard game on his 2008 resume, which is all the more reason to expect a breakout. Derek Kinder and Nate Byham have been under-utilized. Jonathan Baldwin hasn’t caught a pass yet. The artillery is there, so now the Panthers have to use it. As unfortunate as it seems, this game may come down to the battle in the trenches. On both sides of the line, Iowa contains big and strong players, while Pitt features leaner and quicker athletes. If the Hawkeyes stack the box and overpower Pitt’s offensive line, McCoy might have another long day. If the Panthers assert themselves, however, they could pile on the points and go on cruise control. Over the past two years, Pitt lost early affairs to Michigan State, a different Big Ten foe, but one with a similar formula as the Hawkeyes. Those losses proved that Pitt wasn’t ready enough or good enough to be a consistent winner. With one simple victory tomorrow, in front of what should be another decent crowd and against a less-talented opponent, the Panthers would make a speedy turn back on the road they mistakenly deserted after their loss to Bowling Green. But even Onstar couldn’t save Pitt if it loses.