After Saturday’s thrashing at the hands of Notre Dame, it’s easy for most people to assume the Panthers’ playoff chances are out to pasture. However, the casket is not completely closed for Pitt. So while the task is daunting, there is still a chance for Pitt to sneak into the final 12.
That being said, it’s all but impossible for Pitt to nab an at-large bid. The SEC and Big 10 are particularly deep this year, and some quality teams from the group of five can make a run for the playoffs. So, the easiest path for Pitt comes in winning the ACC, which head coach Pat Narduzzi controversially mentioned his team is still alive for, despite the loss to the Irish.
Pitt currently stands in third place in the conference — behind Georgia Tech and Virginia — and is tied with SMU. If the season ended today, the Yellow Jackets and Cavaliers would face each other in the conference title game. If Pitt wins against Georgia Tech and Miami, it would still need additional help to make it into the championship.
In the next two weeks, Pitt needs one of two scenarios to happen. The first scenario is Virginia beats Virginia Tech during the final week of the season and SMU loses to either Louisville or Cal in their final two matchups. The inverse is also helpful for Pitt. If SMU wins out and Virginia loses, the Panthers will collect a spot in the title game.
Obviously, this all hinges on Pitt’s performance against two excellent teams, but those two scenarios are a real possibility.
Louisville and Cal both have a lot to play for to end the season and are talented enough to give the Mustangs a run for their money. On the other hand, while Virginia has historically struggled against its in-state rival, the Cavaliers must beat a rebuilding Virginia Tech team to keep control of their own Playoff destiny. The most likely scenario of these two is Virginia beating the Hokies and SMU losing a contest, likely against Louisville.
While all of this is well and good, the rest lies within the Panthers’ hands. This weekend, they travel to Atlanta to face a very talented and well-coached Georgia Tech, led by Heisman candidate quarterback Haynes King. If that’s not enough of a challenge, they follow up by facing a Miami team littered with NFL prospects up and down their roster. And yet, both teams have proven their vulnerability throughout the season.
Just a week ago, Boston College gave the Jackets all they could handle in a close loss, and a week before that, they lost to NC State by 12. Pitt handled these opponents convincingly in its matchups. And while Miami did have some good wins early in the season, the Hurricanes dropped two contests to SMU and Louisville at home earlier this year.
Assuming this hypothetical plays out perfectly into Pitt’s favor and it wins the ACC title game, there’s a pretty good chance the Panthers are playing late into December. With potentially four ranked wins to their resume and an 8-1 start to end the season, it’s pretty difficult to justify leaving that team out of the playoffs despite their early struggles and the perceived “weakness” of the ACC.
The task ahead is daunting, but not impossible. Pitt has shown its resilience this season and has the chance to reach the greatest heights this program has seen in decades. So, while it does need a bit of help, the ball is definitely in its court.
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