Let's take a look at the 2019 Pitt Football team.
Best / Worse Case Record for :
Louisville | Virginia | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | Boston College | Florida State | Virginia Tech | NC State | Clemson | Syracuse | North Carolina | Wake Forest
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh won the ACC Coastal last season, but there’s a feeling the Panthers are still stuck in neutral as a program after going 7-7. Pittsburgh is a school that’s good enough to beat or lose to anyone on their schedule. In recent years, there are wins over Clemson, Penn State, and a very good Syracuse team last year. There are also losses like last year’s defeat to UNC, and the 0-3 Bowl Record. This is a critical year to for Pat Narduzzi to prove if Pittsburgh is truly moving forward or not.
Will Go 8-4 (5-3) if:
Pitt can start the season 5-1. Penn State is a rivalry game, but they are likely out of Pitt’s reach. No one else the first 6 games is though. The opening game against Coastal Division favorite Virginia could set the tone for the season. UCF is also at home. They are good, but UCF isn’t the team they were the a last 2 years, and Duke while on the road has a new QB.
The backend of the schedule has winnable games with Georgia Tech, UNC, and BC. It’s not out of the question Pitt can sweep that set of games. Kenny Pickett must continue to develop at QB. The running game is is going to be very inexperienced. If Pickett can carry the offense, and the defense which has some talent can be consistent it could be a solid season at Pittsburgh.
Will Go 4-8 (2-6) if:
The offense doesn’t improve… period. There is no chance at repeating as Coastal Division Champions if the Panthers are again 98th in the country in offense. New OC Mark Whipple was brought in to shake things up on that side of the ball. The schedule is in a word brutal. There are OOC games with Penn State and UCF. Those can certainly both be losses. A game at Syracuse looks problematic too.
Pitt doesn’t have the talent to overlook games against Virginia, at Duke, Miami, at Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech, and Boston College. North Carolina isn’t even a sure thing at home. Pitt hasn’t beat UNC since they joined the ACC. Only Ohio and Delaware appear to be sure wins. The season could unravel quickly with a poor start.
