Pitt’s season has reached the point where one injury changes everything, but it hasn’t reached the point of no return.
That’s the reality after the Panthers’ loss to UNC dropped them to 5-1. In a 12-team College Football Playoff world, there’s still some cushion left. But Pitt’s lone defeat came with Mason Heintschel sidelined for the rest of the year, and that matters because the Panthers looked like a different team once he was gone.
The early part of the season was built on momentum. Pitt opened 5-0 with wins over UCF, Syracuse and Virginia Tech, and for a while it looked like every part of the roster was feeding off the next.
Heintschel, the record-setting sophomore quarterback, was at the center of it all. Even after missing a little more than a game because of injury, he is tied for the 12th-most passing touchdowns in the FBS through Week 6.
The defense was just as important in keeping Pitt rolling. Through the first five games, the Panthers were allowing less than 14 points per game, and they kept delivering in pressure moments. That unit’s ability to get stops has been a big reason Pitt has been in position to win so many close games.
Against UNC, though, the cracks showed on offense. Pitt’s rushing attack never got traction, finishing with 150 yards on 41 carries. Cataurus "Blue" Hicks also dealt with drops again, adding to the frustration.
Quarterback play was the biggest issue. Fifth-year Holden Geriner got the start, but the results left plenty to be desired.
He completed only about 61 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions. It was his first collegiate start, but that didn’t stop the questions from piling up about whether Pitt should keep him in the role going forward.
Even so, the season is far from finished. The defense still produced two big interceptions and several key stops against UNC, showing it can hold up even while the offense searches for answers. If that continues, Pat Narduzzi and offensive coordinator Kade Bell have time to sort out the quarterback situation and stabilize the attack.
The clearest road to the playoff still runs through the ACC Championship and an automatic bid, assuming Pitt drops at least one more game in the regular season. That path won’t be easy, though, because undefeated Miami is waiting at least once, and possibly again in the conference title game.
The ACC has already shown how unpredictable it can be - Duke proved that last year. If Pitt wants to keep that door open, the next step is simple: get back on track this weekend against Boston College.
In Other News...
Pitt Fans Finally Get A First Look At This New-Look Roster
The first chance to see Pitts rebuilt mens basketball roster arrives in exhibition play against Providence at Amica Mutual Pavilion, offering a fresh look at a group that has been remade around an influx of new faces. The Panthers have brought in 13 newcomers, giving fans a much different roster to evaluate as the season approaches and the chemistry questions begin to take shape.
Providence will be a familiar spring tune-up, too, as the teams are meeting in exhibition play for the second straight year. Pitt also has season ticket renewals available for the 2026-27 season, a reminder that the program is already looking beyond this preview stage and toward what this new group might become once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]