Every week, with most of the game preparation behind him, Pat Narduzzi gets on his Thursday Zoom conference call and either assures reporters “the hay’s in the barn” or “we’ve had a good week of practice.”

Sometimes, he mentions both things.

This week, with Pitt (3-2, 2-2 ACC) preparing for a trip to Miami to play the No. 13 Hurricanes (3-1, 2-1) on Saturday, Narduzzi said, “We’ve had a great week of practice.”

Presumably, it’s getting better all the time.

Which begs the question: Has Pitt’s coach ever presided over a bad week of practice?

Narduzzi said no, although he admitted, “We’ve had practices where you kind of go, ‘Where was the focus?’ ”

But not this season, he said.

“Our practices have been better this year than last year. I just like the maturity and the senior leadership.”

What will the week of work spawn when the game kicks off at noon Saturday? Here are five thoughts.

1. Eye on Pitt QBs?

Narduzzi didn’t want to discuss Kenny Pickett’s left ankle injury at length. But he said Pickett has worked hard to get ready. He is expected to play.

Yet, the reality is Pickett won’t be 100% — Narduzzi admitted that much — which means the line and backs need to protect him better than they have in any of his previous 32 starts. Pickett might not be able to move quickly enough on that ankle to protect himself.

Pickett leads the ACC in average total yards per game (301.6) without the benefit of a reliable ground game or tight end (the position has contributed a total of five receptions for 41 yards in five games). Mark Whipple’s options are extremely limited.

“The entire offense has been throwing to wide receivers,” ACC Network analyst Mark Herzlich said.

Not quite, but close. Pickett has been responsible for nearly 75% of the yardage Pitt has gained on offense.

If Pickett doesn’t play or must come out of the game, it will be interesting to see who gets the call. Nick Patti, Davis Beville and Joey Yellen have relieved Pickett at different times. The next one breaks the tie.

2. Kessman’s recovery

Narduzzi said Alex Kessman didn’t miss a kick in practice this week, but it’s the five errant ones in games and a 58.3% success rate that bother Pitt fans.

Still, the team has his back. Defensive line coach Charlie Partridge said he tried to offer encouragement to Kessman after his missed extra point at Boston College, but he couldn’t get near him.

Too many of his teammates were surrounding their kicker, reminding him they have his back.

If nothing else, this is a team whose players care for each other. Fans don’t want to hear it, but that matters, too.

When Jimmy Morrissey got in the face of a BC defender who hit Pickett out of bounds, the senior offensive lineman said, “Kenny’s my guy, and I’ll protect him at all costs.”

3. Losses don’t linger

For the second week in a row, Pitt’s resolve after a tough loss will be tested.

Mark Herzlich, a New York Giants linebacker for six seasons, will watch Pitt from the ACC Network booth Saturday for the fourth time this season. Pitt’s players have impressed him with something that can’t be recorded on the scoreboard.

“These kids don’t need to be coached on how to win. They just need to be coached on football,” he said.

“A lot of times, you don’t have the maturity level from your leaders or your seniors to understand how to bounce back from a loss. I didn’t see a flat Pitt team against BC. They didn’t come out looking like they needed a kick in the pants to get going.”

The score matters above all, however.

Why can’t that maturity turn L’s into W’s?

The answer is easy: Pitt just doesn’t make enough impactful plays.

4. Contain King

Pitt’s best chance at victory will be containing Miami quarterback D’Eriq King.

“He’s got a little different burst to him. The guy can run,” Narduzzi said. “When you watch him run through Clemson’s defense, you know there’s some good speed on the field.”

King was Miami’s leading rusher last week in a 42-17 loss to Clemson, gaining 84 yards and scoring a touchdown on 14 carries. On 11 other runs, four Hurricanes gained a total of 5 yards.

If Pitt’s speed on defense neutralizes King, that 131⁄2-point spread in favor of Miami looks bloated.

5. Offense run aground

Perhaps Pitt’s run game will get a boost from the return of A.J. Davis, who has missed the past two games with an undisclosed injury. Narduzzi said the senior running back is ready to go.

Pitt’s ground game is 13th in the ACC, averaging only 125.4 yards per game. In the past two losses, Pitt has totaled only 197.

Only two years ago, the Panthers had eight games with between 200 and 484 yards rushing. It paved the way for an ACC Coastal championship.

If you can’t run, you can’t win.

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