The worst thing that could have happened to the Pitt football team happened at South Florida… The worst thing that could have happened to the Pitt football team happened at South Florida this past weekend.

With a win, the Panthers could have rebounded from the Rutgers loss two weeks ago and likely secured a berth in a bowl game. But with the loss, the ground underneath the Panther squad is now starting to slip and the team is having attitude problems — the worst kind a football team can suffer.

After a very promising 6-1 run in which Pitt looked like it was a legitimate player, the Panthers have dropped to 6-3 with their two hardest games still on the horizon and have nobody to blame but themselves.

Now, Pitt has some real soul searching to do. The Panthers completely squandered a bye week with the loss at South Florida, and numerous players have mentioned that their teammates are quitting on the field.

The rest of this season and possibly the future of the Pitt program rely heavily on how head coach Dave Wannstedt responds this week in time to have his team poised to not be embarrassed by Connecticut.

Until then, there are a lot of questions to be answered about the Panthers.

Q: Why couldn’t Pitt move the ball on offense against South Florida?

A: As much as everyone is tired of blaming the offensive line, it was the offensive line. Between inopportune holding calls, stalemates on running plays and blown assignments allowing sacks and flushing quarterback Tyler Palko from the pocket, the offensive line looked like it did last year.

Granted, the unit is banged up. Right guard Joe Thomas, filling in for John Simonitis, is a true freshman and he’s certainly playing like it. Jeff Otah and C.J. Davis were also injured during the game, and the offensive line reserves are not worthy of even being on the bench.

LaRod Stephens-Howling also missed numerous pass blocking assignments throughout, which should have been expected because of his size. Overall, the Panthers couldn’t block anything Saturday.

Q: How do you explain Darrell Strong’s actions on Saturday?

A: Immaturity. There’s no room for that on the football field. Strong was immediately suspended and might be back for West Virginia. What he did could be a sign of the problems the Panthers are having as a whole.

This shows a lack of focus and discipline. The two fake punts taken for long first downs show the same lack of focus. Dave Wannstedt needs to crack the whip in practice this week and get the Panthers’ heads in the game.

Q: Is Pitt looking at possibly finishing the year 6-6?

A: If Pitt loses this week to Connecticut, which it shouldn’t, but if it does, then yes. In all likelihood, the Panthers will beat UConn and lose to both Louisville and West Virginia and finish the regular season 7-5.

With that, the Panthers could go to a very mediocre bowl game. In the event that they do and win, it would be an important step in the right direction at least.

Right now, the Panthers are undoubtedly going backwards. Both the offense and defense looked Saturday like they did all of last year, and this is coming after starting the year off so well.

If Pitt totally collapses in the latter half of this season, Dave Wannstedt and his staff, whether they’re deserving of it or not, will start to come under scrutiny as to whether they’re really the right coaching staff for the job.

Q: Does Pitt have any chance at beating WVU or Louisville?

A: No.

Q: How does Pitt remedy the mental problems it’s having?

A: Normally, coaches fix mental lapses by replacing the players that are continuing to have them with players that don’t have them. Dave Wannstedt doesn’t have the luxury of doing that.

With the exception of maybe defensive back, wide receiver and tight end, the Panthers aren’t too deep in any position — especially the offensive line and its leader, John Simonitis, are done for the year. Tyler Palko and H.B. Blades need to take control of this team if they want to turn it around.