Pitt’s Narduzzi Prioritizes Wins Over High-Scoring Notre Dame Game
As the football season progresses, the spotlight is on No. 24 Pitt as they prepare to face the formidable No. 10 Notre Dame in Week 12. Despite the gravity of this matchup, Pitt’s head coach, Pat Narduzzi, is prioritizing his team’s playoff aspirations over the immediate outcome of this game.
Pitt’s Focus on Conference Title Hopes
Narduzzi expressed that the game against Notre Dame does not have the same significance as the Panthers’ last two conference games. While the team is preparing for the challenge, Narduzzi emphasized that the stakes lie in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) race.
High Stakes for Pitt in the ACC
When asked about the necessity of winning against Notre Dame, Narduzzi quickly dismissed the idea, stating, “Absolutely not, it is not an ACC game.” He acknowledged that while the game is important, his priority remains on securing crucial victories in the upcoming conference matchups.
- Pitt is among five teams with a single conference loss heading into the final three weeks of the season.
- Georgia Tech, Virginia, and SMU also stand at 5-1 in the ACC, while Duke is at 4-1.
- Louisville follows with a 4-2 record after a recent overtime loss, and Miami holds a 3-2 record.
Tough Road Ahead
Pitt has the hardest schedule among ACC contenders. They are the sole team facing three consecutive ranked opponents to close the season.
- Week 12: Notre Dame
- Week 13: at Georgia Tech
- Week 14: home vs. Miami
A successful run against Georgia Tech and Miami could position Pitt for the ACC title and enhance their chances for a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, if they finish with a 2-1 record and one of those wins is against Notre Dame, their playoff aspirations may dim significantly.
Narduzzi remains acutely aware of the implications these games will have on his team’s future. As the season reaches its climax, every win becomes critical in the quest for both conference dominance and playoff contention.
