The Pitt Panthers get Florida State on Friday night in an ACC matchup that brings both teams in off much-needed wins.
Florida State snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a 31-24 victory at Boston College. Pitt did the same in its own way, rolling past Georgia Tech 34-11 to close out October before getting a bye week to reset. The Panthers also have the memory of last year’s meeting on their side, when they pulled off a 34-31 upset at Florida State.
The biggest storyline for Pitt is under center. Holden Geriner transferred in during the offseason, even though the Panthers already had a quarterback coming off a strong freshman season. Geriner had never started a college game and seemed headed for a career as a backup, but Mason Heintschel’s season-ending knee injury pushed him into the starting job.
The results have been uneven. Geriner dropped his first two starts before finally getting a win against Georgia Tech on Halloween, though he wasn’t asked to carry the offense. He finished 13 of 30 for 180 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.
Now the fifth-year senior gets another shot at home, and Pitt has some clear advantages working in its favor. The Panthers are 5-1 at home and are coming off a bye, while Florida State is only 1-3 on the road.
The quarterback situation has made things tougher for Pitt against stronger opponents in October, but Geriner should be able to do enough for the Panthers to cover at home. Pitt is the play here.
In Other News...
Florida State Coaching Search Just Took A Dramatic New Turn
Florida States coaching search has a fresh layer of intrigue after the school hired Jeff Purinton as its new athletic director, a move that could shape how the next head coach is chosen. Purintons arrival matters because he is expected to have a significant voice in the process, and that immediately shifts the focus from speculation to who he trusts to lead the Seminoles forward.
One name that has gained traction is Glenn Schumann, Georgias defensive coordinator, whose connection to Purinton gives him a built-in familiarity as the search unfolds. Schumanns background under Kirby Smart only adds to his profile, while another previously linked option, Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert, appears to be off the board for now after signing an extension with the Demon Deacons. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Coaching Search Just Got Clearer After One Early Candidate's Move
Florida States coaching search is moving into a more defined phase, with the school still working to replace Mike Norvell and new athletic director Jeff Purinton now in the middle of the vetting process. The list of names tied to the job has included Wake Forests Dave Clawson, Dukes Manny Diaz and Georgias Glenn Schumann, a mix that underscores how broad the search has been as the Seminoles weigh both recruiting chops and on-field results.
One early candidates move has helped narrow the picture a bit, even if nothing official has been decided yet. For Florida State, that matters because the next hire is being judged on more than just rsum appeal - Purinton is clearly looking for someone who can stabilize the program quickly and keep the Seminoles competitive in the recruiting battles that shape the ACC race. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Has A Bad Matchup Problem At The Worst Time
Florida State heads into its meeting with Pittsburgh dealing with a thinner offensive backfield than it would like, with three running backs sidelined and true freshman Amari Thomas expected to get the start after a strong showing in the previous game. It is not the kind of setup the Seminoles wanted heading into a matchup like this, especially with Duce Robinson also set to miss his second straight game.
The timing is rough because Pittsburgh brings one of the nations best run defenses into the matchup, ranking second nationally against the run. For Florida State, the challenge is not just replacing bodies, but finding enough balance to keep the offense from becoming predictable against a front built to take away the ground game. [Read more 🡒]