For the first time since the end of the 2022 season, No. 22 Pitt has found its way into the national rankings and it has done so by doing things its own way.
The Panthers have played an aggressive bend-but-don't-break defense and have run their offense at a breakneck pace that has allowed them to become the sixth-highest scoring offense in the country (45.5 points per game) and tally the fourth-most yards per game (522.2). They've developed an identity that has yet to lose and seems to get stronger each week.
But while the defense has stepped up on several occasions throughout the first five games, which included a 4th-and-1, fourth-quarter stop against North Carolina on their own 8-yard line, the offense has consistently led the way this season. They've erased large fourth-quarter deficits, have consistently put points on the scoreboard and have found ways to utilize their tempo to keep opposing offenses on the sideline in crucial moments.
The most important thing the Panthers have been able to do this season however is distribute the ball to their weapons. It's what has made their offense so dangerous and will continue to propel them through the remainder of the season.
"We're trying to spread it out as much as we can. We'd like to have another couple [100-yard receivers] this week depending on who you're getting the ball to," Pat Narduzzi said earlier this week. "But it all depends on what they're (the defense) doing. It's not that we're just throwing the ball to 'that guy.' They've got to worry about everybody."
Through five games this season, six players have 14 or more catches for 100 yards or more and five of those six receivers are averaging 12 or more yards per catch. So while Eli Holstein is spreading the ball around through the air, he's also doing so down the field. But, the Panthers have also been dangerous on the ground.
Desmond Reid, who leads the Panthers in catches and is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (4), is the team's leading rusher with 374 yards and one touchdown on 62 attempts.
"He's a receiver and he's a running back, and he's deadly at both," Narduzzi said. "That's what makes him so exceptional."
Holstein has been just as dangerous with his legs, especially late in games, and has tallied 263 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. But as the season has carried on he's become more comfortable in his decision making and has continued to dice up opposing secondaries. He's completed 65.7% of his passes for 1,567 yards and 15 touchdowns. He and Miami's Cam Ward are the only FBS quarterbacks with at least three touchdown passes in five games this season and they are the only players to average 300 yards passing per game and have an undefeated record.
Konata Mumpfield, Poppi Williams, Censere Lee and Kenny Johnson have made Holstein and Pitt's offense dangerous. They force opposing defenses to spread out and not necessarily be able to focus on one guy. Then, when Kade Bell can spread Reid out wide or find a way to include Gavin Bartholomew in the game plan, it makes the Panthers that much more versatile.
"Distribution of the ball is critical," Narduzzi said. "We'd like to spread it out and I think we've had a lot of guys catch balls this year so far."
That might even be more critical this week as the Panthers get set to take on ACC-newcomer Cal. The Golden Bears are second in the country in interceptions with 11 as Nohl Williams has picked off five passes and Marcus Harris has picked off two. While the Panthers won't necessarily shy away from the passing game because of Cal's prowess in the air, they do need to be more careful as Holstein has thrown one interception in three of his five starts this season.
THE OPPONENT
Coach: Justin Wilcox (39-35, eighth season)
Record: (3-2, 0-2 ACC)
Players to watch: Fernando Mendoza, QB, R-So.; Jaivian Thomas, RB, So.; Jaydn Ott, RB, Jr.; Nyziah Hunter, WR, R-Fr.: Nohl Williams, DB, Sr.; Xavier Carlton, OLB, Sr.
Cal started its first season as a member of the ACC with three straight wins, including a 21-14 victory over Auburn. However, it has dropped its last two contests with losses to Florida State (14-9) and No. 6 Miami (39-38). Despite bringing a two-game losing streak to Acrisure Stadium, the Golden Bears have talent all over the field.
"The thing that comes to mind when I look at the Cal football team, first time getting them here into Pittsburgh, is speed," Narduzzi said. "I think they've got a ton of speed. When I think of their speed, I think of their running backs, their backs overall. Their running backs and quarterbacks are talented."
Cal's offense starts in the backfield with Jaydyn Ott and Jaivian Thomas. The pair of backs have combined for 422 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 92 carries.
Ott has only played in four games this season but is a dynamic athlete. During their matchup against Miami this past week, Ott scored once on the ground while only garnering two rushing yards but also caught three passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. Narduzzi said he reminds him a little bit of one of his dynamic players.
"We faced a great tailback, a bigger, a fast tailback, last week and that guy got the edge. Facing another one this week," Narduzzi said. "Ott's a good football player. He's talented. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He kind of reminds you a little bit of a Des Reid. He has the ability to do it all. If you give him a lane, he can take it to the house at any time. So can the Thomas kid."
Like Holstein, Fernando Mendoza has also been able to spread the ball around the field this season. He's completed 64.8% of his passes for 1,177 yards and seven touchdowns while only throwing three interceptions. He has eight different receivers who have over 100 yards this season and Nyziah Hunter leads the bunch in catches (15), yards (185) and touchdowns (4). So while Mendoza has targeted Hunter often, he's utilized other athletes, including Ott, in the passing game, which means Narduzzi, Randy Bates and the Pitt defense will have to be ready for anything.
Defensively, the Golden Bears have playmakers everywhere. Williams and Harris are two ballhawks on the back end but 6-6, 275-pound outside linebacker Xavier Carlton could be a problem off the edge. He's only tallied 18 tackles this season, but 6 have gone for a loss and he's tallied 4.5 sacks. Linebacker Teddye Buchanan leads Cal in tackles with 48 and has also tallied 5 TFLs and 3 sacks.
So, with the talent and speed that Cal deploys every week, Pitt may be up for its toughest test so far on Saturday as the Golden Bears have the speed and the athletes to keep up with Pitt's offensive talent.
