PITTSBURGH — Maybe Pitt came too far too fast.

Still, there was this feeling: If the Panthers can't beat Rutgers in Pittsburgh, even a No. 16 Rutgers team, how much work still must be done to get Pitt back to the level that coach Dave Wannstedt expects?

Pitt's 20-10 loss to No. 16 Rutgers on Saturday wasn't a total surprise, as the Panthers allowed yet another back — this time Ray Rice, with 225 yards — to enjoy a big rushing game against them. Add Rice to Pat White of West Virginia, Julius Jones of Notre Dame and Kevin Jones of Virginia Tech to the list of those who experienced career-type days against them in recent seasons.

But after winning six of seven — albeit with a loss to Michigan State — the Panthers felt they were ready to handle a team they had beaten 19 times in 22 meetings before last season. That Pitt didn't, again failing to win a game that might have accelerated Wannstedt's rebuilding efforts, was seen as a major disappointment by his players.

The Panthers (6-2, 2-1 Big East) will have plenty of time to think about it, too, as they don't play again until consecutive road games against South Florida (Nov. 4) and Connecticut (Nov. 11). They finish at home against what may be the two toughest teams on their schedule, No. 4 West Virginia (Nov. 16) and No. 6 Louisville (Nov. 25).

Either West Virginia or Louisville likely will be lower ranked when it meets Pitt since the teams play Nov. 2 in Louisville.

"We can still win 10 games this season, so you can't quit now," linebacker H.B. Blades said. "This team needs to keep playing and we'll correct what we need to and get ready for South Florida."

Blades doesn't need much help with his game — he was credited with 19 tackles, one of the best such efforts by a Pitt player in recent seasons.

But Pitt's offense never got a running game going or gave quarterback Tyler Palko enough time to establish the rhythmic, effective passing game he had developed during a four-game winning streak.