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The Pittsburgh Panthers are the ACC’s defending champions. They surprised everyone in 2021 with a prolific offense led by Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett. The defense was outstanding as well finishing sixth in the country against the run (89.3 ypg).
Head coach Pat Narduzzi (53-37) is back again for his eighth season and another crack at a conference title. The Panthers will reload at quarterback and there are some wide receiver questions. The defense returns seven starters, two of which – DT Calijah Kancey and LB SirVocea Dennis – were first-team All- ACC last year.
Can Narduzzi and the Panthers reload enough to contend for another ACC title?
Pittsburgh Panthers Win Total Betting Lines
OVER 8.5 (-115)
UNDER 8.5 (-115)
Last Season
Led by Pickett, a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Panthers offense was outstanding. Pickett threw for 4,400 yards and 47 touchdowns in leading Pittsburgh to an 11-3 record. The offense averaged 41.4 points per game, which was third in the FBS. The passing game averaged 337.4 yards a game and that was eighth. The Panthers were eighth in total offense (486.6 ypg) too.
Defense has always been a Narduzzi thing and he and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge have a chance to be very good against the run again. They return four members of the front seven.
Panthers Key Losses Heading Into 2022
The biggest loss from last year, of course, is Pickett. However, the Panthers got a gem in former USC starter Kedon Slovis. The bigger loss may be offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who is now at Nebraska.
Whipple takes his version of the Air Raid offense with him. The Panthers welcome Frank Cignetti Jr. to the position after a few years at Boston College. Cignetti will focus on running the football more, something the Panthers were not great at last year.
In addition, the Panthers lost Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison to the transfer portal. Addison was set to enter the NFL draft, then decided against it. He transferred to USC.
2022 Pittsburgh Panthers Team Preview
After the fiasco at USC last year, Slovis hit the transfer portal and is now a Panther. He’ll have some talent at wide receiver with 6-3, 210-pound Jared Wayne (47 catches, 658 yards, 6 TDs) and Akron transfer Konata Mumpfield (63-751-8).
All five Panthers offensive linemen return. Three-fourths of the secondary, led by safety Erick Hallett II, are also back. Kancey (6-0, 275) anchors the defensive line and Dennis (6-1, 230) leads the linebacking corps.
2022 Pittsburgh Football Schedule
The season starts with home games against rival West Virginia and Tennessee. The Panthers travel to Kalamazoo to face Western Michigan, a team that beat Pittsburgh last year. FCS Rhode Island is a guarantee game and then the ACC schedule begins.
Beating Tennessee at home is going to be a challenge and winning one of Louisville or North Carolina on the road is another tough one. Going Over 8.5 may come down to Oct. 8 with Virginia Tech. The game is at home, so no “Enter Sandman.” The edge goes to Pittsburgh.
2022 Pittsburgh Panthers Regular Season Win Total Prediction
North Carolina loses its quarterback too. That will make the trip to Chapel Hill a little easier. Syracuse, Virginia, and Duke are all trying to rebuild. Western Michigan is a revenge game and Louisville hasn’t really proven anything yet under Scott Satterfield. With 14 starters back in the Steel City, the Panthers have what it takes to hit this prop.
PICK: PITTSBURGH OVER 8.5 (-115)
Read our 2022 Demon Deacons win total pick and 2022 Rebels win total pick.
