Pittsburgh: A week ago, Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi said the Panthers were overlooked.
I still don’t see much respect for the 4-1 football team, which is fine, Narduzzi said before the trip to Virginia Tech. Some misuse of it.
Fast forward seven days. Narduzzi now found himself in search of a different kind of inspiration, having gone to the Panthers (5-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) election for the first time since a 28-7 win over the Hawkeyes. Perhaps equally surprisingly, the 23rd-ranked Pitt finds himself an early favorite for next weekend’s visit by longtime ACC power Clemson (4-2, 3-1).
Now the coach who was struggling to get some level of recognition for his team wants his players to ignore it because it has finally arrived.
I told him (Sunday) night that I don’t care about statistics, statistics are for the losers,” Naraduji said on Monday. I don’t care about the election. I don’t care about anything. I care about this week. Is.
A week in which the Panthers could establish themselves as the clear favorites in the ACC’s generally wide-open coastal division, if not the entire league. Here lies the challenge for Narduji.
Pitt has regularly flirted with a successful season since the day after Christmas in 2014. The Panthers upset Clemson and Penn State in 2016. They reached the ACC title game in 2018. He has made his place in AP Top 25. At least once out of five of his seven seasons.
target now? Be there, Pitt is only 3-4 as a ranked team under Narduji and has never climbed above 21st. Killing the Tigers again would go a long way towards changing the perception of the programme, though Narduzi doesn’t want any part of the conversation. at least not yet.
Asked if he thinks his experienced group, led by Dark Horse Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Kenny Pickett, is better equipped to handle the success trap than previous teams, Narduzzi said.
I have no idea, he said.
Maybe, but Pitt looks like he’s figured things out since last month’s stunning 44-41 home loss in western Michigan. The Panthers have won three straight and tight Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech on the road to deliver some early setbacks in the race for the Coastal Division title.
He may even have found a running game to provide some balance to an offense that almost relied on picket. At Lane Stadium, the picket was somewhat halted by high winds, the day Israel Abanicanda scored a career-high 140 yards against the Hokies. It was Pitt’s third 100-yard run back performance against the FBS program since 2018.
Abnikand was so solid that Narduzzi indicated that the sophistication eventually caused some separation on the depth charts between himself and junior Vincent Davis. The last two years have one or bold type between names and all capital letters.
I mean, the way he ran the ball last week, yeah, I’m ready to get rid of him,’ Narduzzi said.
The Panthers are probably in the same boat. They have been quite capable and competitive since Narduzzi’s arrival, but have not won 10 games in a season since 2009. The next four weeks, which include meetings with Clemson, Miami and North Carolina, give the program more than one chance. Appearance in cameo elections.
Crime is dynamic and dangerous. Defense has found a way to slow the flood of big plays allowed earlier in the year. A chance to make a true statement awaits a program that remains the measuring stick not only within the league but also within the country.
They are still gauges in the ACC, period, Narduji said. He’s the best.
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