University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Ranked No. 25 in AP Poll, No. 24 in AFCA Coaches Poll
10/4/2026 2:18:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Following its fifth consecutive victory to open the season, Pitt is ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press College Football Poll and No. 24 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
The Panthers improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 35-33 victory at Virginia Tech last Friday. Pitt overcame a 14-0 first-quarter deficit, forced four turnovers and scored 21 unanswered points spanning the second through fourth quarters to earn its fifth consecutive road victory.
Pitt has opened a season with five consecutive wins for the second time in three years. The Panthers join Duke and Miami as the ACC's three remaining unbeaten teams and have won eight of their past nine conference games.
The Panthers return to Acrisure Stadium to host North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 10, at noon. The game will feature a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Pitt's 1976 national championship team.
Pitt has won all four of its home games this season, outscoring opponents, 157-34. A victory over the Tar Heels would give the Panthers a 6-0 overall record and their fourth 3-0 ACC start under head coach Pat Narduzzi.
Through five games, Pitt ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring offense (38.4 points per game) and total offense (478.0 yards per game). The Panthers rank third in passing offense (316.0 yards per game) and second in touchdown passes (17), with 11 different players catching a scoring pass.
Defensively, Pitt ranks second in the ACC against the run (55.6 yards per game) and third in points allowed (13.4 per game). The Panthers have held four of their first five opponents below 100 rushing yards and have not surrendered a third quarter point this season.
Pitt's four takeaways at Virginia Tech increased its season total to seven. The Panthers own a plus-five turnover margin, ranking second in the conference at plus-1.0 per game.
