The elimination of the spread offense. The making of the Heinz Red Zone at Heinz Field…. The elimination of the spread offense. The making of the Heinz Red Zone at Heinz Field. The team as a whole getting healthy again. The ultimatum from head coach Walt Harris after the 45-7 debacle at Boston College.

Whatever it was that sparked the Panthers football team back to life finally commenced with its 24-6 victory over Alabama-Birmingham.

After a 7-4 season last year and a spot in the Insight.com Bowl, the expectations were high for the Panthers in 2001. Maybe too high.

In early September, expectations were so high that wide receiver Antonio Bryant made a CD-ROM that promoted him as a Heisman Trophy candidate. ESPN.com predicted the Panthers to finish third in the Big East conference, and labeled Pitt the