Pat Narduzzi and Pittsburgh have something working.

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Pat Narduzzi and Pitt have always teased Panther fans.

We said this about Pitt and we looked at their best/worse case season scenario   for 2020.

Each year they seem produce at least one high quality win – 2016 #3 Clemson, 2017 #2 Miami,  2018 #23 Virginia, and 2019 #15 UCF. 2016 had another win over an at the time unranked Penn State, but a Penn State team that ended up #7 in the country. Pitt kind of reminds you of the Tommy Bowden era Clemson teams – capable of beating or losing to anyone they play, but always dangerous. If you are overlooking Pitt in 2020, you could be making a big mistake.

Will Go 8-3 (5-3) if:
The Panthers can start the season 4-1 or 5-0. Austin Peay, Syracuse, Louisville, Syracuse, and Boston College are Pitt’s opening 5 games, and Pitt needs to take advantage with a fast start to the season.

Always dangerous Pitt was prone to the inexplicable loss. They just never could build consistent momentum. At 8-3 in 2015, they lost their final two games of the year. Before they beat Clemson in 2016, Pitt had already lost 4 times. When Pitt beat Miami in 2017, they were 4-7 coming into the game. Pitt lost 3 more games after beating #15 UCF last year. You get the picture.

After beating Louisville 23-20, Pitt stands 3-0.

They are doing with blue-collar hard nosed defensive football that was the hallmark of Pat Narduzzi’s best Michigan State teams.

Pittsburgh held an explosive talented Louisville offense to 20 points and under 200 yards offense. I guarantee Louisville with Malik Cunningham running the show, not many if any teams would accomplish that. We also hope the late 4th quarter Cunningham injury is not as serious as it looked.

Pitt will never overwhelm you offensively, but QB Kenny Pickett is an underrated QB who is putting up the best rating numbers of his career. He only needs to manage the game, and Pitt’s defense will largely do the rest.

Pitt national defensive rankings

Total- 2nd
Rush- 2nd
Pass- 3rd
Pass efficiency- 2nd
3rd down efficiency- 4th
Interceptions- 2nd
Tackles for Loss- 3rd
Turnovers Gained- 3rd
Total Sacks-1st

Pitt has 17 sacks. The next most is 11.

— Chris Dokish (@ChrisDokish) September 27, 2020

The Panthers should be favored the next 2 weeks against NC State and Boston College. It could set up a huge top 25 showdown with Miami, and then Notre Dame right after that. If Pitt can get to that stretch 5-0, it would prove the growth of the Panther team to play consistent football against teams they should beat.

Miami, Notre Dame and the rest of the ACC definitely need to keep an eye on what the Pitt Panthers are doing.

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