Pitt formally published the 2019 football schedule today, and it won’t be an easy one. 11 of the 12 teams we play qualified for a bowl in 2018.
The good news is that the Panthers will host seven games at Heinz Field, including four ACC games. Here is the full 2019 Schedule as released by the Sports Information Department, as well as some extra commentary by Yours Truly, meant to be taken with a grain of salt of course.
Aug. 31 Virginia*
Pitt is 5-0 all-time against the Cavaliers in Pittsburgh.
Which means the Cavs are due…
Sept. 7 Ohio
Coach Frank Solich has led the Bobcats to 10 bowl games in 14 seasons.
Oh great, another triple-option team.
Sept. 14 at Penn State
The 2019 meeting between Pitt and Penn State will mark the 100th all-time.
The good thing is that we will be beat up as hell after playing that triple-option team.
Sept. 21 UCF
The Knights’ 25-game winning streak was snapped by LSU, 40-32, in the Fiesta Bowl.
At least we will only be win #4 on their new win streak.
Sept. 28 Delaware
In the lone prior meeting, James Conner scored four TDs in a 62-0 win to open the 2014 season.
This is really the only game we should feel good about
Oct. 5 at Duke*
Kenny Pickett’s 25-yard pass to Maurice Ffrench with :05 left lifted Pitt past Duke last season.
And it’s a good thing it did or 2018 would have been a dis-aster.
Oct. 18 (Fri.) at Syracuse*
The Panthers have won 14 of the past 17 games against the Orange.
Thanks for the Kiss of Death…
Oct. 26 Miami*
Pitt toppled No. 2 Miami, 24-14, the last time the Hurricanes visited Heinz Field in 2017.
We win about 1 out of every 3 games against the ‘Canes so don’t get your hopes up
Nov. 2 at Georgia Tech*
The Panthers travel to Atlanta to face new-look Georgia Tech under coach Geoff Collins.
Finally a winnable game!
Nov. 14 (Thurs.) North Carolina*
The last time Mack Brown faced Pitt? The 1984 season as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator.
The last time Pat Narduzzi beat North Carolina: Never
Nov. 23 at Virginia Tech*
The Panthers piled up a school-record 654 yards in last season’s 52-22 win over the Hokies.
We used it all up in 2018, so expect about 150 yards of offense for a two year average of 400 yards per game.
Nov. 30 Boston College*
Pitt has won five of the last six against the Eagles, who visit Heinz for the first time since 2004.
Two teams that love to play smash-mouth football meet in Pittsburgh in November…Whiplash vs Smashmouth. Better hope we can stop the run.
In all seriousness folks, this is a pretty tough schedule. An early uneducated read says 6-6, because Duzz always loses a couple that you think he should win and wins a couple you’d think he would lose. Here’s to hoping the Defense is as good as we think it is and Whipple gets the offense humming.
Hail to Pitt
Michaelangelo
pittpov.com 