After an ACC Championship in 2021, expectations are high for Pitt football.
While Kenny Pickett has since moved on, being drafted by the Steelers, a lot of players are returning in 2022.
Quarterback Kedon Slovis transferred from USC and will compete with Nick Patti for the starting.
High hopes for Pitt may not be a pipe dream for fans either. College football expert Phil Steele believes in the Panthers.
"I think they have a shot to run the table and make the playoff this year," Steele said on the Fan Morning Show Thursday.
Even with the loss of wide receiver Jordan Addison to USC, Steele is still "bullish" on Pitt.
"I got them as my number one surprise team in the county or my number one non-top ten team that I think has a shot to make the playoffs," said Steele, adding that the Panthers were "firmly" up there before losing Addison, but he still believes they can win another ACC Championship.
While Steele doesn't believe Slovis will be as good as Pickett, he still thinks he'll have a good year.
"Slovis was a Heisman contender heading into last year," said Steele.
He's also impressed with other positions.
"I do think Pitt will run the football more under Frank Cignetti and they've got the running backs to do so, Israel Abanikanda Is Vincent Davis, Rodney Hammond, Daniel Carter, a very deep backfield.
While Pitt did lose Addison, Steele likes the addition of freshman All-American Konata Mumpfield playing with Jared Wayne.
Steele also thinks Pitt has the best offensive line in the ACC and when it comes to the defensive line, he has them ranked second in the country, losing on one lineman.
When it comes to the Costal Division, Steele believes that Miami is the only team that could prevent Pitt from another divisional championship.
