Stern: Panthers to renew rivalries, face tough competition

The 2013 season will be a historic one for the Pittsburgh Panthers, as it marks the first year of their membership in the Atlantic Coast Conference. While the realignment has forced the cancellation of rivalry games like the Backyard Brawl, Pitt’s ACC membership has allowed the school to renew old rivalries with former Big East foes, such as Boston College and Virginia Tech. The 2013 squad will also continue historic rivalries with teams like Syracuse and Notre Dame, while creating new rivalries with schools like Florida State, Miami and Wake Forrest.

Here’s the entire Pitt schedule, complete with predictions of each game’s outcome: 

Game 1 — versus Florida State, Sept. 2

The revamped Panthers offense will struggle against new FSU Defensive Coordinator Jeremy Pruitt’s defense, but the Panthers defense should keep them in the game late into the fourth quarter. The Seminoles’ redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston will be too much for the Panthers, allowing Florida State to put the game away for good in the middle of the fourth quarter.  

Prediction: FSU 31, Pitt 17

Game 2 — versus New Mexico, Sept. 14

New Mexico, led by impact tailback Kasey Carrier and dual-threat quarterback Cole Gautsche, will strike for one or two big plays, but the leaders of the Panthers will not allow the Lobos to duplicate last year’s upset at the hands of Youngstown State. Quarterback Tom Savage will throw for a few touchdowns, and the Panthers defense will force a few turnovers, enabling Pitt to cruise to their first victory of the season.

Prediction: Pitt 35, New Mexico 14

Game 3 — at Duke, Sept. 21

Junior quarterback Anthony Boone will not be able to figure out the tough Panthers defense led by defensive tackle Aaron Donald. As a result, the Panthers will dominate the Blue Devils, picking up the second victory of the season and the program’s first ACC win. 

Prediction: Pitt 28, Duke 10

Game 4 — versus Virginia, Sept. 28

Both teams’ defenses will dominate this game, but the Pitt offense will do just enough to allow the Panthers to win. Look for freshman Tyler Boyd to make a big impact in this one while he participates in his first Homecoming game. 

rediction: Pitt 21, Virginia 17

Game 5 — at Virginia Tech, Oct. 12

The game will be closer than the score indicates, but the Virginia Tech offense will play angry and hand the Panthers a pretty thorough defeat after Pitt embarrassed the Hokies at Heinz Field last season. 

Prediction: Virginia Tech 38, Pitt 17

Game 6 — versus Old Dominion, Oct. 19

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke will propel the Monarchs to a fast start, but the Panthers offense will respond with four touchdowns. In the end, the Pitt running game will be just a little too much for the Old Dominion defense, allowing the Panthers to kill the clock late in the fourth quarter.  

Prediction: Pitt 28, Old Dominion 24

Game 7 — at Navy, Oct. 26 

Navy’s version of the mythical option offense, the flexbone, will have success initially, but eventually Matt House and company will figure out a way to stop the Midshipmen offense with the speed of the Panthers’ linebacking corps. Look for Tyler Boyd and Devin Street to take advantage of a subpar Navy defense.  

Prediction: Pitt 27, Navy 21

Game 8 — at Georgia Tech, Nov. 2

Georgia Tech is one of the top teams in the Coastal Division, and will prove it against the Panthers. Quarterback Vad Lee will run the triple option extremely effectively against the Panthers’ defense, forcing the offense to step up. While Savage and company will have an opportunity to lead the Panthers to the upset, the Yellow Jacket defense, in tandem with flawless execution by the offense, will prove to be too much for the Panthers to handle. 

Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Pitt 23

Game 9 — versus Notre Dame, Nov. 9

This game will certainly be circled on the calendar inside the Panthers locker room and on the schedules stuck to nearly every Pitt fans’ wall. Last season, Pitt had multiple opportunities to play spoiler against the undefeated Irish in South Bend, Ind. The Panthers will be hungry for the upset early on, but the Irish, led by replacement quarterback Tommy Rees, will be too much for them.

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Pitt 20

Game 10 — versus UNC, Nov. 16

Tom Savage will look to lean heavily on a running game established early on. Isaac Bennett and James Conner will help the Panthers pull off the upset of the Tar Heels.

  Prediction: Pitt 16, UNC 14

Game 11 — at Syracuse, Nov. 23

The revamped Syracuse offense will struggle mightily against one of the better defenses in the ACC. As a result, the Panthers will dominate the Orange and exact revenge for last season’s tough loss.

Prediction: Pitt 31, Syracuse 14

Game 12 — versus Miami, Nov. 29

Even though the Hurricanes are facing NCAA sanctions, they are poised for a huge season. The “U” will be hungry when they invade Heinz Field, because the team will be eligible for an ACC Coastal crown for the first time in years. With a win propelling the Hurricanes to the title, Miami will beat the Panthers.  

Prediction: Miami 35, Pitt 19

When the season’s over, Paul Chryst and company will be able to look back on the season’s accomplishments with pride. The 7-5 season will be highlighted by four conference victories, including a home upset over North Carolina. The performance will place the Panthers in a fourth-place tie with the aforementioned Tar Heels. With the tiebreaker favoring them, the Panthers will face the American East Conference in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. The Belk Bowl appearance will mark the first time in four years that the Panthers will not be playing a bowl game in Birmingham, Ala.