Pitt football shrunk from the heavy expectations, handing Bud Foster a perfect going-away gift — a 28-0 home victory in the pouring rain.

After stealing the ACC Coastal crown in 2018, the Panthers will be hard-pressed to finish above any of the division’s top three teams this season.

The sloppy field conditions were perfectly suited for the Panthers, who pounded the ball on the ground and stifled Virginia’s offense en route to a 23-13 victory.

Our staff takes a look at the upcoming slate of ACC football games, headlined by Pitt’s high-stakes clash with Virginia Friday night. Elsewhere in the conference, No. 24 Boston College travels to Virginia Tech for what our staff believes will be a very close game, while undefeated Clemson hosts Louisville in what could quickly become a blowout of epic proportions.

Despite losing a crucial conference game to lowly one-win North Carolina, Pitt has been given new life thanks to the ACC becoming the football embodiment of Murphy’s law.