If the University of Pittsburgh Panthers were a relationship status on social media, they might choose the label “it’s complicated”. Pitt pulls into the season with some cloudy waters on the depth chart and a number of players returning from injury.
The keys to a winning Panthers season will be promising players stepping up to solidify their roles, determined starters making an impact, and those with recent injuries rebounding in fine form.
Of course, winning in the ACC is kind of like stretching $20 into $50. Teams often need to take on some special magic and rise to levels they didn’t know were possible.
Head coach Pat Narduzzi isn't one to give much credence to the depth chart. Sure, it's published for the media, and there are named starters at every position, but Narduzzi likes to keep his options open.
He’s patrolled the Pitt sideline for the past two seasons, each culminating in identical 8-4 records and bowl game losses.
But high-profile victories a season ago against both Penn State, and (most notably) the eventual national champs Clemson, demonstrate that Narduzzi and crew know how to prevail when it counts. Pitt’s pre-season predicted third place finish in the ACC Coastal division might not reflect the true nature of the Panthers, given the reference point and muscle memory of recent big wins.
Pitt is striving to set the bar higher this year with a double-digit win campaign and bowl game victory. But the squad isn't putting the cart before the horse. With training camp opening on July 31st, the focus is on building upon team strengths.
Among the question marks to settle before the season opens on September 2 at Heinz Field against Youngstown State is the hazy wide receiver situation.
Tre Tipton is out for the season with a knee injury, which leaves Lester Weah and Quadree Henderson as the starting wideouts. Expect redshirt junior Rafael Araujo-Lopes and sophomore Aaron Mathews to challenge for spots in the mix.
A duo of receivers will need to establish themselves as a dominant force in order to ensure that the offense builds a reliable rhythm in the passing game.
