As a result the offense will start three freshman on the offensive line, two at wide receiver and one - Donald Brown - at tailback. The squad will be led by the relatively experienced D.J. Hernandez, a redshirt sophomore, at quarterback.

“You're going to get gray hairs as you're going through this right now,” Edsall said. “It's going to be a little bit frustrating at times. You're playing them because you think those are the best kids you have right now.”

Brown earned the starting tailback job by rushing for 199 yards in UConn's last game, a 23-14 loss at No. 15 Rutgers on Oct. 29.

He is expected to share time Saturday with Terry Caulley, the school's all-time leading rusher, who had 623 yards this season before sitting out the Rutgers game with an ankle sprain.

“They've got probably as good a one-two combination as anybody in our conference,” said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt.

Pittsburgh will counter with an offense that features senior quarterback Tyler Palko. The Panthers are averaging 232 yards a game through the air, and are ranked second nationally in passing efficiency, with 21 touchdowns and just six interceptions in nine games.

“He's making good decisions, he's throwing the ball very accurate and he's not into the mind-set that we've got to get the ball to one guy,” said Wannstedt. “He's taking what the defense is giving and any time you do that and believe in it, you're going to have success.”

The Panthers have already qualified for a bowl game, but are riding a two-game losing streak to Rutgers (20-10) and South Florida (22-12).

A bowl bid could be jeopardized by a loss to Connecticut, because the Panthers close the season with games against No. 10 West Virginia (7-1, 2-1) and No. 3 Louisville (8-0, 3-0).

“It's important to get win No. 7,” Wannstedt said. “We need to get things corrected that have not given us a chance to win the last two weeks: Sacks, penalties and turnovers. It's easier said than done, but you make it real clear to your players.”