Pitt hasn’t won a national championship in any sport since 1976. But with the volleyball team looking dominant entering tournament play, a potential — albeit extremely challenging — path exists to break that streak.

By finishing the season in catastrophic fashion, Pitt played itself out of contention for the Orange Bowl and Camping World Bowl, among others.

Xavier Johnson averaging a triple double? Trey McGowens making the leap to one of the nation’s top scorers? Pitt making a run at the ACC Championship? All very logical possibilities, writes sports editor Trent Leonard.

Where Pitt football goes from here could determine whether it rematches Clemson in the ACC Championship or falls to a middling bowl come postseason play.