#PantherNation News and Notes
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 8, 2022
Pitt Sits in Top Two in Latest CFP Playoff Rankings
With LSU besting top-ranked Alabama last weekend, there were certain to be some shakeups in the playoff picture. Pitt was a major beneficiary, as the Panthers leapt up to the #2 spot (trailing only LSU) in the latest rankings issued by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. Pitt and LSU are the lone two P5 unbeatens remaining this season, while Cincinnati and Ball State are the only unbeaten G5 schools.
Cincinnati, on the back of a 20-1 record since the start of the 2021 season (only loss to Alabama in the Peach Bowl), holds the #3 spot currently, buoyed by their overwhelming resume of success, their snub from last season, and their constant blowouts of their largely overwhelmed opponents. While the Bearcats don't have a marquee win, their overall dominance in a crowded field seems to have elevated them over a plethora of one loss schools.
Penn State snagged what would be the final playoff position on the strength of their win over fellow top-10 school Ohio State and their only loss being a closely contested battle against Top-15 ranked Michigan. Ohio State, whose only loss is to the Nittany Lions, don't have a major victory on their resume yet, but the Buckeyes do still have Top-25 matchups to play against Michigan and Indiana and could yet get into the Big Ten championship picture.
Defending champion Oklahoma sits in wait at #6, but with a massive matchup coming against Top-15 Oklahoma State and a possible Big XII title game, the Sooners would likely jump #5 Alabama, who are likely to miss out on the SEC title game due to the LSU loss.
Clemson holds the #7 spot, but with an impending ACC title game and a final week showdown with #10 South Carolina, the Tigers are certainly still in the mix for the playoff. Heck, don't forget the Gamecocks, who have just one loss and with #12 Florida, #7 Clemson and #1 LSU (SEC championship) likely on the schedule, the Gamecocks could run the table and easily make the field.
#9 Washington is waiting out the rest of the field, as the Huskies own inside track on the Pac-12 championship but lack the marquee victories to move them higher up in the field without other schools faltering down the stretch.
Panthers Requesting 'Gold Out' for Saturday Home Game
For the fourth straight season, Pitt is asking fans to 'GOLD OUT' Heinz Field, wearing gold gear to create a unicolor look inside the stadium. For the first time, the Panthers will not being wearing gold uniforms to accompany the gold out (thanks CFB Revamped), but are expected to don their standard Gold-Blue-Gold look for Senior Day at Heinz Field.
13 Seniors Set for Final Heinz Field Appearance
Pitt will celebrate the careers of 13 seniors this Saturday against North Carolina, with those seniors currently compiling a stellar 42-9 record in their four active years on the Panthers' roster.
2022 - 9-0 (In Progress)
2021 - 9-4 - Lost to Georgia in Russell Athletic Bowl
2020 - 13-2 - Lost in CFP National Championship to Alabama
2019 - 11-3 - Lost in CFP Semifinal to Ohio State
The Panthers will recognize the following players in the senior day festivities before the start of the North Carolina game:
QB Noah Brooks
HB Kolin Wells
TE Jay Balmer
C Luke Davis (Capt.)
G Charles Rhodes
G John Browning
T Daniel Jenkins
DT Malachi Bordeaux (Capt.)
DT Xavier Gosselin
LB A'Darrion Mitchell (Capt.)
CB Marquise Walker
FS Sedric Granger
SS Matt Emery