Pitt Panthers Football Preview 11/2/24 at SMU

S. Samek

The Pitt Panthers are now 7-0 and 3-0 in the ACC. They have moved up in the poll to number 18. Now they take on a ranked conference opponent on the road. Can they keep up the winning streak, or will they taste defeat for the first time this season? Let’s preview the action.

Pitt crushed Syracuse 41-13 during their last game. They scored three defensive touchdowns in the victory. Eli Hoslstein did throw for a pair of touchdowns as well but left the game in the fourth quarter. Holstein was recently named to the Davey O Brien Award class of 2024 list. Pitt is unsure if he will play, or not. However now he has been cleared to play.

Kyle Louis was named to the Chuck Bednarik award midseason watchlist. Ben Sauls was named the midseason Lou Garza Award winner as well prior to this weeks contest.

SMU is ranked number 20 in the nation at 7-1 and 4-0 in the ACC. The held off Duke 28-27 in their last game and winners of five in a row. After three straight road games they return home for this one where they are 3-1 this season. SMU is 1-0 against ranked teams. Pitt has yet to face a ranked team this season. Pitt has never faced SMU on the road though.

SMU has also been great in conference play. They have won 12 games in a row in league winning their last eight games as members of the American Athletic Conference and then a 4-0 start during their first year in the ACC. Though they could be without starting signal caller Kevin Jennings for the contest.

SMU holds the advantage in all-time series at 3-2-1. The last time these two teams played was in the 2012 BBVA Compass Bowl and SMU won 28-6.

I’m predicting Pitt wins 24-20 though. It should be a close game between two ranked opponents.