PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – We're not even to October yet and there are only two unbeaten teams in the ACC. I'm sure you would have guessed they are Wake Forest and Boston College. You likely also had Florida State as the only winless team. The Seminoles are also the only team with more losses than Clemson.
"People talk about Coastal (Division) chaos," said Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. "It's ACC chaos. It's Atlantic; Coastal; it's college football. Look around the country, look at New Hampshire, FCS program, ten FCS teams beat Power Five teams the first three weeks of the season."
"You're not just seeing it in the ACC.
You're seeing it in the Big Ten. You're seeing Ohio State get upset and beat and you're seeing a MAC team beat Minnesota and you're seeing it all over the place. Again, I think the (transfer) portal and a lot of those things has a lot to do with it."
"I think this is the craziest year of college football I've been a part of," said Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett. "I think it adds some excitement that everyone has a shot. Every week is a championship week."
"I feel like it's wide open right now," said Pitt safety Brandon Hill. "We have a great chance. Everyone is on the same page. We are trying to run with this. Take it game-by-game, every game counts. This is the biggest game because it's the next one. If we take it game-by-game we will be successful this year."
Saturday at noon is the first conference game of the year. For the third straight year, Pitt plays at Georgia Tech. It's also where the Panthers played their final ACC game of 2020, a 34-20 win.
"I feel like we approach every game as an intense game because it's the next one leading up," Hill said. "Definitely, ACC the wins matter. The wins count. Going into this game with the intensity, ready to win."
"100%, it's a new season," Pickett said. "It's an eight-game season. That what we were preaching this week. I think every game is like a championship game because of how crazy it is in the conference. We feel like it's wide-open for anybody. Every week has to be a championship mindset that you are going to get it done."
Hill said the key for them is to bring the same juice they had against New Hampshire and not start out flat like they did against Western Michigan.
"I feel like the momentum we have, bring the same energy this game," Hill said. "Bring the same energy to an away game like we would a home game. Play the way we are playing in their territory."
Pitt is familiar with Atlanta. They are familiar with the stakes. In 2018, the ACC Coastal was wide open and the Panthers played for a conference championship. The journey to return starts at noon Saturday. Coverage on 93.7 The Fan begins at 9a with Panthers Preview.
