They’re back: Pitt football claims No. 22 spot on AP Top 25

The Panthers are back. After an electric 5-0 start to the 2024 season, Pitt football find themselves back in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2022.

The ranking comes after a historic win on Saturday when Pitt – for the first time ever – pounced into Chapel Hill, shepherding the Tar Heels and earning their fifth consecutive win of the season. The Panthers have not started the season with such a blaze since 1991, when they were noted as the 12th best team through five weeks of college ball. 

Pitt’s name on the Top 25 should come as no surprise. The team dominated their non-conference schedule, making history as they blew out their FCS opponents and put together miraculous comebacks against the likes of rivals Cincinnati and West Virginia — two power five schools.

At this time last year, the Panthers stood at 1-4. This go-around marks a huge improvement from a season that was over before it even really started. 

A big part of this success is redshirt first-year quarterback Eli Holstein. Holstein holds the record for the most passing yards by a first-year in a game and since legend Dan Marino wore the blue and gold in 1979, no Pitt quarterback has won their first five starts.

Other offensive additions have bolstered the Panthers’ undefeated status. Junior running back FCS transfer Desmond Reid has put together a tear of a statline to start his campaign in the Steel City. Reid averages 8.1 yards per touch and has notched 4 tuddies on the season. 

While the defense has definitely improved, the most important impact the boys in blue have comes in big moments. Week after week, the defense comes up with a pick, a sack or another game-changing play to help put a W on the board.

Before the season, questions circulated about how Kade Bell’s offensive system would impact Pitt’s record. Fans have their answer. The Panthers are averaging 522.2 yards per game while plastering a mean of 45.60 points per game to the scoreboard.

While the season has thus far proved unchallengeable for the Panthers, the rest of the schedule is undoubtedly an upward climb to keep their top spot.

Next week, Pitt will take on a tough California team before taking on Syracuse, No. 25 SMU and Virginia. No. 10 Clemson, Louisville and Boston College round out the rest of the season. 

The ACC schedule will not come easy for Pitt, but with momentum building and a newfound aura, fans won’t want to count the Panthers out. 

While deserved national recognition is gratifying, Pitt cannot become complacent and lose sight of the promised land. The Panthers are staring at a golden opportunity that reads ‘ACC Championship.’ With the college football playoffs now open to 12 teams, who knows what the future holds.