Pitt is inching closer and closer to a ranking in both the AP and Coaches Poll following a 4-0 start to the season since 2000.
Pitt concluded its non-conference schedule with a statement win against Youngstown State, scoring 70 points for the first time since the 2021 season. And the voters are taking notice of one of the best teams in the country.
Pitt received 37 points in the AP Poll, which is good for 30th-best in the country. Pitt received 50 points in the Coaches Poll, which is good for 28th in the county. Pitt is knocking on the door of being ranked for the first time since 2022.
The voting process awards 25 points for a first-place vote, 24 points for a second-place vote, 23 points for a third-place vote and so on. So, Pitt was either 24th on one ballot or 25th on two ballots. Either way, the Panthers are in the mix. It’s what they do now that will determine their future standing.
The AP Poll has Miami as the highest-ranked ACC school, checking in at seventh. Louisville (15th) and Clemson (17) are also ranked. And Boston College and SMU are receiving votes.
The Coaches Poll also ranks Miami as the top school in the ACC, checking in at ninth, and Clemson (15th) and Louisville (17th) are also ranked. Boston College, Duke and SMU also received votes.
Pitt is coming off its most complete performance of the season in a 73-17 win against Youngstown State Saturday at Acrisure Stadium — and it meant a lot to Pat Narduzzi.
“That’s the way we scripted that win today,” Narduzzi said Saturday night. “Talked to our guys just about the attitude we take and making a statement in regards to who we played. We wanted to put the foot to the pedal and show who we are. You look back at 2012 and Paul Chryst’s first year and you think about how far we’ve come as a program. They got beat by that team coming in here in ’12. Then in ’15, my first game, we beat them barely. ’17, we go overtime with them.
“Again, wins are wins, but this third one is the way it was supposed to be. They may have preached all week about, hey, last time we took them to overtime. That was 2017. That was before a Coastal Division championship. I was proud of the way those guys went out there and played.”
Pitt has a bye week before traveling to Chapel Hill, N.C. to take on North Carolina in the conference opener. Pitt is 0-7 all-time playing UNC in Chapel Hill.
If they really want to set the tone for the season they need to beat UNC in Chapel Hill for the first time. Keep building on these “firsts” so ppl continue to feel they’re for real.
to beat UNC at Chapel Hill they will be 7-0 with 2 Wins against the Referees. Last trip there the instant replay on a potential pass-interference was technically not available. Two minutes later it was used favorable for UNC.
Not sure what you’re talking about with the first part. They play UNC Oct 5th and have a bye next weekend, so beating them would make them 5-0. I agree they’ve been hosed against the refs there, but they suck this year and to be taken seriously you have to do things not expected or things you haven’t done. They lose and it’s just “same old Pitt”.
Things they haven’t done before? You mean like losing to a YSU, Toledo, or even WVU and Cincy both of which I think they lost just year? This team is different and the results thus far back that up
Duzz said PITT beat WVU and the Refs two weeks ago. If you watched PITT play UNC at UNC two years ago you would know the PI ref situation too, beating UNC at UNC requires beating Refs too.
Quit whining about the effin’ refs.
James Madison did this with no problem, they had the fans booing. The guys who write these articles talk about how good Pitt is then offer a million excuses when they lose. I am and always be a die hard Pitt fan but realistically, this is not one of the top 25 teams in the country yet. I see promise, lets see what they do in Conference before we get to excited. Lot of Football left.
Unc has always been a favorite of acc brass. Last president (unc alum) in 2020 fixed the schedule to help them win was so obvious think his name was Seaford
Illinois seems like they have a decent football team this year but placing them at number 19 in the country at the moment sort of puzzles me. The best opponent they played so far is Nebraska and they barely pulled that one out and they played Kansas and won by six. Placing them at number 19 in the country seems extremely generous. They’re ranked above the Sooners that only lost by 10 points to a high powered Tennessee team. I’m not seeing it.
It’s the Big 10 bias. SEC understandable, but the Big 10 is ALWAYS overrated outside of Ohio St and Michigan.
Yea. Pitt does not seem to be getting any credit for winning two games against Big 12 teams in Cincy and WVU. Both of which won this weekend with WVU beating KU.
After reading many comments from ibcant help but feel frustration with you so called fans who seem to live in a glass half empty world.. thus team is as entertaining a team as there is in the sports world right now (props to volleyball) from the quarterback play, play calling. Teams they beat and how they beat the.. yet yinz continue to pick at them like an unhappy studabubba at her lazy husband.
Please allow yourselves to enjoy this ride.
Sectio 112 upfront
This is Pittsburgh, unless it’s perfect, we complain. Punter is suspect. There, I’ve made my comment. Congratulations to Daniel Carter for a spectacular performance.
You’re being too kind only calling the punter suspect.