They have the talent nearby, they have the population base, they have recent success, and national championship success. Plenty of great alums to lean on too: Marino, Fitzgerald, Dorsett, Ditka, Revis...
The reason you think lowly of Pitt is because they have been greatly underachieving. They have the facilities, they just need a good coaching staff.
If they can win 10 with a dud like Wannstedt, think what they could do with a good coach.