Pitt Panthers Football: Game-By-Game Predictions For 2014

At the end of this month, Pitt will begin its second season in the ACC. Head coach Paul Chryst will be entering his third season, looking to improve upon previous years with his young Panthers squad.

For more information on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and key players to watch, I suggest checking out my previous article about Pitt training camp.

Looking upon the 2014 schedule, it is not nearly as daunting as last year, when Pitt opened the season against eventual NCAA champion Florida State. Pitt finished with an overall 7-6 (3-5 ACC) record, and I expect the Panthers to surprise many people this season.

Pitt hosts the Delaware Blue Hens (7-5) on Saturday, Aug. 30 at noon. This should be a much easier battle compared to the Seminoles last season, and I look for Pitt to win easily. Importantly, it will be vital to see how redshirt sophomore QB Chad Voytik performs. Pitt 27, Delaware 10.

On Friday, Sept. 5, Pitt will go on the road to face Boston College (7-7, 4-4 ACC). The Eagles lost RB Andre Williams to the NFL, but were very competitive in most of their games. This game will be close and will come down to the turnover battle. If Pitt holds onto the ball and doesn’t throw interceptions, the Panthers could beat the Eagles. Look for James Conner to have a huge game, racking up over 150 total yards. Pitt 24, Boston College 20.

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On Saturday, Sept. 13, Pitt will host the Florida International Golden Panthers, who finished 1-11 last season. FIU wasn’t too competitive last season, and I don’t expect them to hang with Pitt. Pitt has its way on both sides of the ball, and the Panthers feel great in beginning the season 3-0. Pitt 56, FIU 7.

Pitt will face its toughest nonconference test in the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, Sept. 20. Iowa finished 8-5 (5-3 Big Ten), and most experts have picked Iowa to finish second in the “West” of the Big Ten behind Wisconsin. Though this is a home game for Pitt, I expect some growing pains for the freshmen and sophomores, as the offense just can’t get going and the defense has a tough time getting off the field. Pitt loses its first game of the season. Iowa 24, Pitt 13.

Pitt will then square off against the Akron Zips (5-7, 4-4) at Heinz Field on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Zips were picked to finish second behind Bowling Green, so they will likely be a tough matchup. Coming off of a aggravating loss to Iowa, Pitt will positively respond and play much better. The Zips won’t be able to cover Tyler Boyd and the Panthers move on to 4-1. Pitt 35, Akron 24.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, Pitt will travel to Virginia (2-10, 0-8 ACC). Pitt beat Virginia last season and will do the same this year, as Boyd and Conner both have big games. Pitt 31, Virginia 13.

Pitt will host Virginia Tech (8-5, 5-3 ACC) 12 days later and look for some revenge. Pitt wins on a last-second field goal to send the Panthers fans home happy. Pitt 27, Virginia Tech 24.

Pitt will then host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-6, 5-3 ACC) on Saturday, Oct. 25. This will be another game where the Panthers go for some revenge against the “flexbone” offense and end up 7-1. After this game, I expect Pitt to be ranked and begin to gain some national attention. Pitt 20, Georgia Tech 17.

To start November, Pitt will host the Duke Blue Devils (10-4, 6-2 ACC) in what I believe to be the game that decides the champion of the ACC Atlantic Division. Pitt won a shootout at Duke last season 58-55, and I do not expect the same type of game in this one. I look for Pitt to surprise the country behind Voytik and Boyd. Pitt 27, Duke 17.

Dec 26, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) makes a reception in the fourth quarter defended by Bowling Green Falcons defensive back Aaron Foster (23) during the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field. Pittsburgh won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

High off of the three-game stretch of wins at home, Pitt will travel to face the North Carolina Tar Heels (7-6, 4-4 ACC) on Saturday, Nov. 15. I think this will be a letdown game, where the Panthers look lethargic and just run out of emotion from the wins against the Hokies, Yellow Jackets, and Blue Devils. It will be a close game with much frustration as the Panthers cannot get anything going and lose a special teams battle again. Pitt falls to 8-2, 5-1 ACC on the season. North Carolina 20, Pitt 16.

Pitt will travel to Syracuse (7-6, 4-4 ACC) one week later, and Pitt will handle the Orange easily. Pitt will click on all cylinders, and Syracuse will not be able to match the Panthers’ speed and athleticism in the Carrier Dome. Pitt 45, Syracuse 13.

In the final game of the season, Pitt will travel to the Miami Hurricanes (9-4, 5-3 ACC) on Saturday, Nov. 29. I predict that Pitt will be in first of the ACC Atlantic, whereas Miami will be tied with Duke for second. This will be a game where there is a scenario that Miami could overtake Pitt, so the Panthers must not lose this one. Pitt has always had trouble with “Florida speed,” and I think this game will be a defining moment for the young Panthers squad looking to clinch a spot in the ACC title game.

Pitt rises to the occasion, as the Hurricanes have trouble containing Voytik since they focus on stopping Conner. Boyd has a career game, and the offensive line provides ample time for the offense to click. In years past, the complete opposite has happened against speedy, athletic Florida teams. This game, and season, could very well put Pitt back on the map. Pitt wins the division with a 10-2, 7-1 ACC record. Pitt 31, Miami 24.

Pitt will then go on to face the ACC Coastal champion Florida State Seminoles, who will simply be too much for the up-and-coming Panthers. I expect Florida State to make a return trip to the NCAA Championship, as they clinch a playoff spot. Pitt will go on to make a much-deserved Orange Bowl appearance, and the young Panthers will be a top-15 team come the following season.

You may think I’m crazy with these predictions, but I believe the Panthers have something special in a huge Wisconsin-prototype offensive line with stability, a mobile play-making QB in Voytik, a bruising and deceptively fast RB in Conner, and an athletic, soon-to-be NFL WR in Boyd.

The Panthers have had plenty of play-making WRs and RBs over the last decade, but they haven’t had a solid offensive line in a long time and a mobile playmaking QB since Tyler Palko. The fate of Pitt’s season will likely depend on QB play, the O-line, and the ability of the defense to gel together.

Here’s what other City of Champions staffers predict for Pitt’s upcoming season:

Larry Snyder: With just 13 returning starters this season, I think 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the ACC, is a safe bet for the Panthers.

Matt Gajtka: I’m not quite as high on the Panthers as Brett, but I think this program is about to turn a corner. I like Pitt to finish the regular season at 9-3 after posting a 6-2 mark in the ACC. Their bowl game performance could go a long way toward putting the Panthers back in the national conversation.

What do you think?

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