Pitt’s football team was picked to be in the middle of the ACC pack this season, according to media members that cover the league.

The Panthers were slotted ninth in the ACC football preseason media poll released Wednesday.

Defending ACC champion Clemson was tabbed the preseason favorite in a vote of more than 180 media members at the ACC Football Kickoff last week in Charlotte, N.C.

The Tigers, who received 167 first-place votes, finished 10-4 last season, including a 7-1 mark in the ACC. After winning the ACC championship game, they advanced to the College Football Playoff for the seventh time.

Miami, SMU, Georgia Tech and Louisville rounded out the top five, followed by Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, Pitt and NC State.

The Panthers tied for 10th in the ACC last season with a 4-4 record (7-6 overall).

2025 ACC football preseason poll

Rank, Team - Points

1. Clemson (167) - 3083

2. Miami (7) - 2679

3. SMU (2) - 2612

4. Georgia Tech (2) - 2397

5. Louisville - 2370

6. Duke - 1973

7. Florida State (4) - 1920

8. North Carolina - 1611

9. Pitt - 1571

10. NC State - 1505

11. Virginia Tech (1) - 1412

12. Syracuse - 1381

13. Boston College - 953

14. Virginia - 871

15. California - 659

16. Wake Forest - 576

17. Stanford - 426

*First-place votes in parentheses

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