Pitt Makes Initial College Football Playoff Rankings

The AP Poll is often cited as the most important poll in the nation, but once the CFP committee comes together in early November, it's their word that matters. The committee will ultimately decide which 12 teams qualify for the College Football Playoff.

While it's early, and there is a lot of football left to be played, it's an encouraging sign that the committee has its eyes on the Panthers.

How Pitt Stands in the ACC

Pitt is sitting at 7-2 (5-1 ACC) and third in the ACC through the first three quarters of the season. Virginia is in the driver's seat, with a loss to North Carolina State not counting as a conference loss, and Louisville also has a hand up on the Panthers. But if the Panthers continue to win, with Georgia Tech and Miami on the schedule, there's a chance it won't matter.

The ACC is a bit convoluted right now, with six teams having one or less losses, but the Panthers are in the mix. And there are meaningful games in November coming up after the bye week.

The season didn't appear to be headed for CFP discussion after back-to-back losses to West Virginia and Louisville (which is a solid loss now), but credit Pat Narduzzi for making the switch from Eli Holstein to Mason Heintschel.

Heintschel is 5-0 since being inserted into the lineup and has injected new life into the Panthers. He's thrown for 1,547 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding 143 yards and a touchdown on the ground, this season. He's the spark, paired with offensive coordinator Kade Bell, the team needed.

It helps that fellow true freshman Ja'Kyrian Turner has emerged as a legitimate bell cow as Desmond Reid has dealt with injuries, and that Kenny Johnson, Blue Hicks and Poppi Williams have made plays in every game this season.

The defense, despite injuries that have left the unit light all season, is still one of the best against the run in all of college football - and the emergence of young players bodes well for both the present and the future.