Another week, another set of College Football Playoff projections for the Pitt Panthers.
Pitt checked in at No. 18 in the latest AP Poll, a polarizing spot amongst Panther Nation, for sure, but the Panthers are in a position to make some noise in the inaugural poll. With a huge road game against No. 20 SMU this weekend, Pitt can make a statement at the perfect time.
The ACC isn’t well-regarded by the AP voters (or by the college football world as a whole), but that doesn’t matter if the Panthers handle their business.
Miami is the ACC leader at this point, despite not leading in the conference standings, and there’s a good chance a second and maybe third ACC team will earn a spot in the Playoff.
ESPN included Pitt in its “Next Four Out” category, alongside Ole Miss, LSU and SMU.
Heather Dinich of ESPN isn’t very high on the Panthers’ schedule so far. But unlike Notre Dame, with the Irish in the tier above, the Panthers have handled every team on their schedule.
“Pitt is playing well, but it hasn’t defeated a ranked opponent, and its win total includes victories against 0-8 Kent State and 3-6 Youngstown State. Saturday’s game against SMU will have a drastic impact on both teams’ playoff chances. If SMU wins, its chances increase to 40%, but they drop to 6% with a loss. Pitt’s chances would be 41% with a win, and 12% with a loss.”
On3 included Pitt in its “First Four Out” category, alongside Iowa State, Clemson and Alabama.
Ari Wasserman of On3 seems to be waiting to see how the Panthers handle their key matchup against SMU this weekend in Dallas, Texas.
“Pittsburgh entered Thursday’s game against Syracuse undefeated. Many thought it would be a spot for the Panthers to suffer their first loss. Nope. Pittsburgh had three pick-sixes off Kyle McCord in the first half of a 41-13 victory over Syracuse. Next week, Pittsburgh travels to Dallas for a big-time matchup against SMU, a team who has also yet to lose a game in the ACC.”
Pitt currently has just a 2.7% chance to win the ACC but a 20% chance to qualify for the CFP. But a win against SMU will go a long way.
Pitt has its toughest test of the season this weekend at SMU, the first time the Panthers will travel to Dallas, Texas. And it’s a major opportunity to make a statement against one of the conference favorites.
ESPN gives Miami (53%), Clemson (22%) and SMU (21%) a much better chance to win the ACC than Pitt (3%). So, a win against SMU, before an “easier” opponent in Virginia, would set up a major opportunity against Clemson in the middle of November.
Pitt controls its destiny. The toughest games are still ahead, but the Panthers are in prime position to make some noise.
It will likely come down to Pitt combining its offensive firepower with a suffocating defense. Eli Holstein and the offense led the way to a 5-0 start, and Kyle Louis and the defense secured the last two wins. If the two units can play complementary football in the second half of the season, the Panthers will be dangerous.
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