Pitt Take 5: Panthers hope to hold tight to respect earned through eight games

For anyone who believes Pitt doesn’t get enough national respect, the first College Football Playoff rankings offer an argument to the contrary.

Pitt is ranked No. 25, one of only three ACC teams in the Top 25 and the only one from the Coastal Division. How did that happen only three days after the Panthers lost to unranked Miami?

The top five reasons:

1. Kenny Pickett.

2. Pitt’s 3-0 road record, including victories at an SEC school (Tennessee) and a typically difficult venue (Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech).

3. Kenny Pickett.

4. A 6-2 record that includes knocking Clemson off its pedestal.

5. Kenny Pickett.

Get the message?

What does Pickett think of the attention? You don’t have to ask.

“No comment,” he said. “I don’t think anyone is paying attention to that. We know what’s at stake.”

Pickett called a team meeting after the loss to Western Michigan, but he said it wasn’t necessary this time.

“Everyone’s focused.” he said.

Here are five thoughts to ponder ahead of Pitt’s trip to Durham, N.C., to meet Duke on Saturday.

1. Interceptions explained

There are eight quarterbacks who have thrown for at least 2,500 yards, and seven of them have been picked off at least five times. Pickett stands at three interceptions, with 2,755 yards (sixth) and 26 touchdown passes (fourth).

The problem is all three picks occurred in Pitt’s two losses. He explained what happened in the most recent two against Miami.

Interception No. 1 — “I made the right read (on a sideline throw to Taysir Mack). I know everybody will say Jordan (Addison) was open (in the middle of the field). But when they’re spinning to close the middle of the field, post options really aren’t something you should be looking at. I just have to throw a better ball to Taysir.

Interception No. 2 — “The one to Jordan (in the fourth quarter) was a miscommunication we got fixed.”

2. Watch, don’t bet

Pat Narduzzi has not added the BetOnLine app to his phone. The only app he said he uses not related to his football team is USA Today, where he gets all the news that matters to him.

So, of course, when he said, “I’m putting my money down that (Miami) wins the next four games,” it was merely a flippant comment. But he might be right.

Which is bad news for Pitt.

If the ACC Coastal race is reduced to Pitt (6-2, 3-1) and Miami (4-4, 2-2), the Panthers could lose one of their remaining four games and finish behind a Hurricanes team that wins all four. Miami plays sub-.500 teams Georgia Tech, Florida State and Duke, plus Virginia Tech (4-4, 2-2).

After Duke, Pitt must confront North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell on a short week Thursday at Heinz Field, and finish the season against Syracuse running back Sean Tucker at the Carrier Dome. Howell has amassed 2,787 total yards, including 595 with his feet. Tucker has rushed for an average of 140.8 per game, second in the nation, first in the ACC.

Virginia (6-3, 4-2) could figure in the Coastal race, too, and the Wahoos are coming to Heinz Field on Nov. 20. But Virginia’s Brennan Armstrong, the nation’s No. 2 quarterback (395.2 yards per game), is nursing a rib injury.

3. Emerging cornerback

Over the past two games, A.J. Woods has been getting more playing time at cornerback, splitting time with Marquis Williams. After averaging 21 snaps through the first six games, Woods totaled 84 against Clemson and Miami, according to Pro Football Focus.

“The coaches trust me a little bit more,” he said. “I’m doing the little things, and it’s been paying off for me. The game definitely slowed down for me the past couple weeks.”

It must be difficult for coaches to keep Woods’ speed off the field. He said he’s the fastest player on the team, claiming a personal-best clocking of 22.9 mph and 4.31 seconds in the 40.

“I don’t know if it’s a record, but they said it’s the fastest they’ve ever seen anybody run,” he said,

Of course, speed is worthless without the proper tackling technique, something that was made painfully clear when Pitt gave up 490 yards to Miami. Woods said defensive coordinator Randy Bates is constantly yelling, “Take a good angle. Thud ‘em up. They put a lot of emphasis on technique.”

4. Sign of the times

Narduzzi said he was surprised by the sudden departure of middle linebacker Wendell Davis, who entered the transfer portal this week, but it won’t change Pitt’s approach on defense.

SirVocea Dennis will continue to play in the middle and outside. If coaches use Dennis outside, Brandon George and Chase Pine can play Davis’ reserve role in the middle, Narduzzi said.

“We have plenty of guys who can play the middle linebacker position,” he said.

He said he understands why Davis wanted to leave now, instead of waiting until the end of the season.

“You’re trying to make early decisions so you can get your name out there,” he said. “Which is smart in a way.”

But he added, “It’s always surprising. The culture here is really good. But this is what the NCAA has created (with the transfer portal and immediate eligibility). I wish him luck. It’s part of the game nowadays.”

“You can’t ever look back at yourself and say, ‘What did we do?’ Just look forward and play the next guy.”

5. Unwelcome guests

With two road games left on the schedule, Pitt is 3-0 away from Heinz Field. The Panthers haven’t been perfect on the road for an entire season since going 4-0 in 1987.

“It’s fun to go in another opponent’s house and take over,” linebacker Phil Campbell III said.