​There’s absolutely nothing boring about Pitt football in style, seasons, and wild mood swings. That’s why it’s among the ACC’s biggest wild cards.Head coach Pat Narduzzi proved that Pitt can win an ACC Championship, but lately, just when it seems like something fun is about to happen … nope.(© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)It wasn’t all that long ago when the Panthers won the 2021 ACC Championship, and that’s why it always seems like they’re this close to pulling off something big.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementComing off a 3-9 clunker, the 2024 Pitt team started 7-0 and looked like a true championship contender – and then lost its last six games.The Panthers started 2-2 last season with heartbreaking close losses to West Virginia and Louisville. They found their quarterback in Mason Heintschel during a five-game winning streak, and everyone started to get on board. And then they closed losing three of their last four.This season’s team has enough talent back to be terrific at times, but it’s Pitt. It’s going to be an interesting ride.- 2026 Pitt Schedule AnalysisHead Coach: Pat Narduzzi (12th year: 80-61)Best Case / Worst Case: Win the ACC Championship/Struggle to stay in the ACC raceKey Player: Mason Heintschel, QB Soph.2025 Record: 8-5Biggest Question: Can Pitt do all the little things right and win all of the games they’re supposed to?Average Yards Per Carry: Pitt 3.5, Opponents 2.7Sacks: Opponents 44 for 325 yards, Pitt 31 for 274 yards1st Quarter Scoring: Pitt 100, Opponents 48AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOffensive coordinator Kade Bell has found his stride. There are plenty of things to work on, but he’s got the quarterback, the style, and the pop to make Pitt a threat to crank up the production every time out.Now the Panthers have to be more consistent, and they have to be stronger against the better teams. They have the personnel to do it.Mason Heintschel. The 6-2, 215-pounder isn’t all that big, and he doesn’t run, but the guy can spin it.With a big-time arm and a maturity to his game, the sophomore came up large last season with 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns, even though he didn’t fully take over the job until mid-October. He’s the franchise, and Texas State transfer Holden Geriner is coming in to be the emergency option.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe ground game will take off. Heintschel will get the spotlight and the press, but the Panther rushing attack has the potential to carry its weight after a rough season.The 1-2 rushing punch of Ja’Kyrian Turner and Western Kentucky transfer La’Vell Wright should combine to push for 1,500 yards.When Pitt scores, Pitt wins. It was a true feast-or-famine team, going 8-0 when scoring 30 or more, and 0-5 when scoring fewer. Over the last four years, Pitt is 22-1 when coming up with 30 or more, and that one loss was in the six-overtime insanity against Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.Third down conversions. The Panthers were explosive, and scoring wasn’t