2coordinators
Pittsburgh's coordinator change reshapes Big East.
Narduzzi's ninth season opens with an 8-5 record and a #24 AP finish, but coordinator changes and an uneasy fanbase signal tension beneath the surface.
Pittsburgh8-5CFP #22Latest
Pittsburgh's faithful can't agree on where this is headed.
belief cooled ↓ 7.4vs prior week
Fanbase belief
Mixed
48/100 · 205 mentions
~ our readGrounding
running on emotion
5% cite a stat · 7% typical ✓ counted
~ our readVolatility
Chaotic
σ 23 pts
~ our readThe model
#39
CFB Zeitgeist · +5.3
✓ measured2Hope-Doping·Offseason
Pittsburgh is the old power the sport keeps forgetting — a 1976 national champion that the country talks about like it vanished — and in 2025 an 18-year-old freshman named Mason Heintschel reminded everyone the Panthers are still in the room.
AP Top 25#24 AP
The fanbase has heard the program written off as an afterthought for two decades and bristles every time, because Pitt was a national power before half the programs dismissing it existed. They don't w…
offseason · quiet
Roster Reload - Pittsburgh
2026 snapshot - 2026-08-06Returning Production75%High continuity
Talent Composite#56 nationally247 composite 681.2
Portal Additions16Primary repair: LB
Portal Losses21Primary pressure: IOL
Draft Loss1NFL Draft departures (1)
Recruiting Reload#44Development class
IOLin 1 - Keylen Davisout 3 - Caleb HolmesStarter Risk
current room: 309 lbs avg (2025 roster)
DLin 2 - Jeremiah Warrenout 2 - Francis BrewuEven
current room: 260 lbs avg (2025 roster)
CBin 2 - Raion Straderout 2 - Shawn Lee Jr.Even
current room: 185 lbs avg (2025 roster)
RBin 1 - La'Vell Wrightout 2 - Derrick Davis Jr.Downgrade
current room: 183 lbs avg (2025 roster)
WRin 1 - Malik Knightout 2 - Kenny JohnsonDowngrade
current room: 183 lbs avg (2025 roster)
TEin 2 - Carson Kentout 1 - Malachi ThomasUpgrade
current room: 241 lbs avg (2025 roster)
Belief EKG
WinLoss · hover for scorePrior seasons
Approaching
30 days
until kickoff · vs Miami (OH) · Sat Sep 5 · 16:00 UTC
The experience
Pittsburgh is the program with nine national titles in football history and a 2021 ACC championship that reminded the country it's still here.
Offense: SolidRun/Pass: Pass-first, spreadTempo: Explosive, big-play
Pittsburgh's 2026 season hinges on roster continuity and transfer impact
With a returning player base of 75% and a development-focused recruiting class ranked #44, Pittsburgh aims to stabilize its performance in 2026.
- Roster reloadPittsburgh has 16 incoming transfers but lost 21, creating a net portal exporter status with significant depth challenges.
- RecruitingThe team's recruiting score of 214.09 ranks #44 nationally, indicating a modest but development-oriented class.
Data as of 2026-08-01
·
Validated against program evidence
Roc the Panther watches the rivers.
Pittsburgh · the story right now
6 storylines developing
What Pittsburgh's offseason is really about
the open questionwhere does it go from here?
program_outlookthis cycle~readnew
Pittsburgh jumped 14 spots in SP+ — Pat Narduzzi’s 6th season opens with an 8-5 record and #24 AP rank, but the uneasy fanbase demands more than a reminder.
what happenedPittsburgh enters 2025 rated No. 36 in SP+ (+8.4), up 14 spots from 2024. ✓ fact
narrative tension · our read
coordinatorsthis cycle~readnew
Narduzzi's ninth season opens with an 8-5 record and a #24 AP finish, but coordinator changes and an uneasy fanbase signal tension beneath the surface.
what happenedPittsburgh: coordinator change reshaping a unit. ✓ fact
narrative tension · our read
deep threatthis cycle~attributednew
Cataurus Hicks is a real deep-ball threat -- a high share of his targets come on throws past the sticks.
narrative tension · our read
deep threatthis cycle~attributednew
Justin Holmes is used almost exclusively underneath -- a low share of his targets are downfield shots.
narrative tension · our read
deep threatthis cycle~attributednew
Raphael Williams is a real deep-ball threat -- a high share of his targets come on throws past the sticks.
narrative tension · our read
program_outlookthis cycle~readnew
Pittsburgh jumped 14 spots in SP+ — the 8-5 record and 2021 ACC title suggest momentum, but the talent rank at #56 raises questions about sustaining this rise under Pat Narduzzi.
what happenedPittsburgh enters 2026 rated No. 36 in 2025 SP+ (+8.4), up 14 spots from 2024. ✓ fact
narrative tension · our read
How past storylines here turned out
Died downPittsburgh's offensive coordinator change has died down — no clear next chapter yet.
The story
Transfer portal snapshot
-7.9 net portal points
(raw ledger: -18.6 — unweighted, no position adjustment)IOL-7.2
starter risk
RB-4.4
WR-3.7
S-3.5
low confidence
TE+3.5
EDGE-3.4
low confidence
LB+2.7
P+2.0
low confidence
QB-1.3
K-1.2
DL-1.0
LS-1.0
CB-0.2
OT+0.0
Top 3 commits
2026 class
★★★★☆
Damon Ferguson
#203 national
Profiles like a typical incoming running back — 13 of his 25 closest recruiting profiles since 2018 shared the Balanced Back archetype.~our read · projection from recruiting profile — no college snaps yet
★★★★☆
Corey Dailey
#417 national
Profiles like a typical incoming quarterback — 10 of his 25 closest recruiting profiles since 2018 shared the Pocket Passer archetype.~our read · projection from recruiting profile — no college snaps yet
★★★★☆
Reston Lehman
#457 national
↓
Fan confidence a bit lower than recent years
17th percentile among FBS programs
Fan vs. market↓
17th
Fan percentile
(FBS mood rank)
(FBS mood rank)
7.5
Vegas O/U wins
(60th among FBS)
(60th among FBS)
Market 43pp more optimistic than fan mood
Win total consensus · 3 books
Market outlook
Season expectations
Win total3 booksO/U 7.5
CFP championship#37 in field+15000
ACC title#6 in market+1700
Sportsbook consensus · best odds across multiple books · 2026-08-06
Pittsburgh · Next-Season Outcome Band
Pittsburgh · Next-Season Outcome BandFloor / Base / Ceiling
Floor 6-7
Base 9-4
Ceiling 11-2
floor6-7Bowl game.
base9-4Bowl game.
ceiling11-2Bowl game.
Final-season-aware projection: floor / base / ceiling include conference title and CFP games where the model supports them, so a ceiling can exceed a 12-game regular season.
How the room reacted
Following now · Pittsburgh · Season outlook Confidence
Pittsburgh enters the season in the middle of the pack. That's the whole tension.
Pittsburgh enters 2025 rated No. 36 in SP+ (+8.4), up 14 spots from 2024. SP+ describes what the program HAS done, not what it will do. The season is the field test. Preview coverage is split — believers and skeptics are reading the same data differently.
bullish — but with real dissent
where the takes land · dot = how loud
DOUBTBELIEF
Skeptics1 doubt take
Believers3 bull takes
💬 fans: 26% volume · negative overall
CFB Zeitgeist Read · our take
Pittsburgh jumped 14 spots in SP+ — Pat Narduzzi’s 6th season opens with an 8-5 record and #24 AP rank, but the uneasy fanbase demands more than a reminder.
Next · what to watch
The non-obvious read on this rating isn't the number — it's the schedule. A team at this level has 2-3 games where the model says they're overmatched, and those are the games that define the narrative. Watch whether the model holds through the first month of the schedule.
Source of record: Pittsburgh enters 2025 rated No. 36 in SP+ (+8.4), up 14 spots from 2024.
How each room is reacting — tap to expand
📣Believers3 bullish items -- the case it's working.›
The 'the projection is underselling us' read -- fans betting the season beats the preview number.
“Pitt football | Heintschel impresses as Panthers open camp - The Tribune-Democrat”
news · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
“Kozora: Initial Impressions Of The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Rookie Class”
Steelers Depot · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
“Two Pitt Linemen Named to Outland Trophy Watch List”
On3 · 2026-08-04 · read ↗
🧐Skeptics“One Big Question For UCF Football Opponents: Pittsburgh Panthers” — the real counter.›
The 'the model has seen the tape' counter -- efficiency ratings reward what a program has actually done, not hope.
“One Big Question For UCF Football Opponents: Pittsburgh Panthers”
247Sports · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
💬The boards26% of recent board volume — the fanbase is locked in. Board mood this week: negative overall · anger notable (39%).›
This event was in 194 of 733 board posts (26%) over the last 60 days — a fanbase consumed by it. Fan text shown verbatim, attributed to the community not the individual poster.
"Hi everyone, I'll be staying in Pittsburgh for about 3 months and I'm looking for an affordable, furnished studio near CMU University. Could you recommend: Good neighborhoods close"
r/Pitt ~ fan take
"hey guys i’m planning to transfer to pitt from depaul university in chicago to pitt for the spring semester, my gpa is a little over 3.5 with 54 college credits. i’m applying for e"
r/Pitt ~ fan take
Board health this week (206 posts): 10% positive · 68% neutral · 22% negative. Team-level weekly mood — not specific to this event. The boards ≠ the fanbase: a self-selected vocal slice.
Following now · Pittsburgh · Developing Confidence
Pittsburgh: coordinator change reshaping a unit.
Pittsburgh: coordinator change reshaping a unit.
skeptical — but there's a bull case
where the takes land · dot = how loud
DOUBTBELIEF
Skeptics2 doubt takes
Believers1 bull take
💬 fans: 6% volume · negative overall
CFB Zeitgeist Read · our take
Narduzzi's ninth season opens with an 8-5 record and a #24 AP finish, but coordinator changes and an uneasy fanbase signal tension beneath the surface.
Source of record: Pittsburgh: coordinator change reshaping a unit.
How each room is reacting — tap to expand
📣Believers1 bullish items -- the case it's working.›
The optimistic read: momentum, and the 'this is real' takes.
“Kozora: Initial Impressions Of The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Rookie Class”
Steelers Depot · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
“Pitt football starts camp with higher expectations going into 2026 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette”
news · 2026-08-06 · read ↗
“First Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart released during preseason training camp”
Yardbarker · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
🧐Skeptics“One Big Question For UCF Football Opponents: Pittsburgh Panthers” — the real counter.›
The analytical counter: rankings, results, and 'the hype is ahead of the tape' takes.
“One Big Question For UCF Football Opponents: Pittsburgh Panthers”
247Sports · 2026-08-05 · read ↗
“Pittsburgh native Jaquan Brisker called his shot and landed in the NFL. Now, 'I'm actually a Steeler.' - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette”
news · 2026-08-04 · read ↗
💬The boards6% of recent board volume — quieter than the headlines. Board mood this week: negative overall · anger notable (39%).›
This event was in 42 of 733 board posts (6%) over the last 60 days — engaged but not consumed. Fan text shown verbatim, attributed to the community not the individual poster.
"Hi everyone, I'll be staying in Pittsburgh for about 3 months and I'm looking for an affordable, furnished studio near CMU University. Could you recommend: Good neighborhoods close"
r/Pitt ~ fan take
"Hello guys I have an active Indian Driving License but no IDP,how can i get a US driving License here in Pittsburgh?"
r/Pitt ~ fan take
Board health this week (206 posts): 10% positive · 68% neutral · 22% negative. Team-level weekly mood — not specific to this event. The boards ≠ the fanbase: a self-selected vocal slice.
Recent Form · last 10 games
Cooling
Two of five. Schedule has caught up.
Streak L2Last 5 · 2-3Last 10 · 6-4
The forecast
Opens Sep 5
vs Miami (OH) · at home
Season line7.5 winsover -155
SolidPass-first, spreadExplosive, big-play
✓ fact on line · ~ our read on style
Rival pulse
Penn State
Mixed-4
Keystone Classic
Fan mood index · most recent r/cfb data
Recruiting Footprint · 2026
Recruiting Footprint · 2026
21
FL · 5PA · 4TX · 4GA · 2OH · 2VA · 2MD · 1MI · 1
FL leads the 2026 class with 5 commits. National footprint reaching 8 states.
Where they recruit · 2023-2026
88 signees across 16 states, 2023-2026. FL leads the pull.
r/cfb this year
[Postgame Thread] ECU Defeats Pittsburgh 23-17
[Postgame Thread] Pittsburgh Defeats Duquesne 61-9
[Game Thread] Military Bowl: ECU vs. Pittsburgh (11:00 AM ET)
Top community posts · last 12 months · r/cfb
National spotlight
13 games with TV coverage: 2 national broadcast, 5 ESPN, 5 conference network, 1 streaming
Kickoff windows: 7 noon, 3 afternoon, 2 primetime
Fumble luck
The bounces have gone their way on the fumbles they've forced: 56% recovered, vs. ~49% expected.
5 of 9 forced fumbles recovered; 4 of 8 own fumbles recovered themselves, 2025 only.
Takeaway conversion
Cashing in more than most: 28% of disrupted passes intercepted, vs. ~19% league-wide.
15 interceptions of 54 disrupted passes (39 deflected, 15 intercepted), 2025 only.
Penalty battle
The flags have favored them: 102 penalties drawn on opponents vs. 95 committed, 79 yards to the good.
876 penalty yards committed vs. 955 drawn on opponents, 2025 season total.
The Pulse on Pittsburgh
48
Δ -7.4 vs last wk
205
mentions this week · conversation velocity
What moved it — fall camp · last 14 days
Camp
Fall camp open — install + scrimmage cycle
ongoing
Kickoff
Season opener in 16 days
kickoff
"Backyard Brawl"
— Pittsburgh fanbase · recurring line
Fanbase Signals
Cohort Divergence0 pctSpread between sub-fanbase cohorts in the Pulse window.
The Fever Year
Position = mood · width = volume · color = the kind of feeling
Inside the fanbase — all 9 corners
Cr/CFB
GGoogle News
CCampus paper
BBluesky
YYouTube
One voice
+0.00whole-room sentiment · cool our read
Every cohort from the die-hards to the analytics crowd lands within 0.00 of each other — a rare consensus. The loudest voice in the room:
GGoogle NewsBeat · article
Pitt football starts camp with higher expectations going into 2026 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
news.google.com →How Pittsburgh fans actually talk real · top-upvoted
Rr/CFBthe room
You know, he is the best coach Pitt has had in like, ever but i hate every moment of it. He talks about bowl records and can’t beat ECU or Toledo.
▲ 142 ▼open ↗
The crowd’s loudest take by upvotes — read for mood, not as a side. The cohort read is the measured part.
The room, end to end
skeptical
buying in
Recruiting heads−0.05
Casuals−0.05
Cohort sentiment is a source-weighted model read — never a quote pinned to a person.
What this fanbase keeps coming back to our read · topic model
Topics are model-labeled from Reddit — a rough signal of what this fanbase is circling right now.
547 mentions · 5 sources · week 2026-01. Counts, sources and the divergence rank are measured (fact). Cohort labels and sentiment are a source-weighted model read (our read) — never a quote attributed to a person.
Belief checklight on evidence
~ our readPittsburgh fans are down on the program, with a bit less hard evidence than most fanbases.
backed by facts
the mood
✓ counted We read 206 posts from Pittsburgh fans this week.
Backyard Brawl
Fan mood across the 2025 season, both sides — our read
Hover a week for both sides’ game
Shaded weeks show whose fanbase read warmer, our measure of what fans actually said, not a poll.
Season storylines
Week 9
“It would be great if we could stop turning the ball over inside the 10 yard line. Sloppy overall but another win and cover on the road so no big complaints here. Bring on 3 ranked teams to end the season. Let’s get healthy and see what we can do, everything still to play for …”— r/CFB
Week 3
“Every off-season someone asks something along the lines of would you rather compete for a natty every year and lose to your rival or never compete for one but beat your rival every year. Considering the season Pitt is probably about to have, I know exactly which one I'd take”— r/CFB
Week 10
“No self respecting city would name themselves Pittsburgh without an H. So therefore I choose to believe this is factually incorrect. A myth. An old wives tale and children’s folklore. I bid you good day sir, madam, or they.”— r/CFB
Week 8
“GIVE ME THE BEAT, BOYS, AND FREE MY SOUL I WANNA WATCH PITT PLAY IN A BOWL AND DRIFT AWAYYYYYY”— r/CFB
Week 2
“"Tell him off, Pitt! Assert yourself!" "That's my Win." "Great! Now let him have it!" "You can have it."”— r/CFB
Rent free · r/cfb fan posts, last season
Pittsburgh fans this offseason 13% of posts bring up another team▼1pp quieter#34 of 43 saltiest · mostly about Clemson
Who Pittsburgh fans can’t stop bringing up
share of Pittsburgh’s football posts that mention each team
Pittsburgh lives rent-free in
share of each rival fanbase’s football posts that bring up Pittsburgh
Fanbase Health Index · Pittsburgh · high confidence
Fanbase Health Index · Pittsburgh · high confidenceGrowing (64)
DecliningStableGrowingSurging
On-Field — 8-5 (62% win rate)65
Volume — 1396 effective signal-N93
Cohort Engagement — Divergence 0.00 — quiet35
The Lexicon
228 posts and articles vs the field · 2025 season
pitt
×45.7 the field
Signature — ≥10× the rest of college football
pitt×45.7n=31
steelers×60.8n=23
holstein×587.0n=13
narduzzi×171.3n=10
mason×63.5n=11
Characteristic — 3–10×
line×4.3n=25
offensive line×7.2n=12
offensive×3.7n=15
Mild — <3×
offense×2.2n=34
bad×3.3n=15
“TIL Mike Norvell was WR coach / co-OC at Pitt in 2011”
reddit/CFB · fan post, verbatim
Fanbase Voice
998 fan mentions
Doomers
vs the 81 highest-volume fanbases - 2025 season
Key stats — 2025 — FBS rank
Points/game#17 / 138 · 88th pct33.7
Pts allowed/game#64 / 138 · 54th pct24.8
Total yards/gm#61 / 136 · 56th pct391.2
Rush yards/gm#108 / 136 · 21st pct117.7
Pass yards/gm#23 / 136 · 84th pct273.5
Yards allowed/gm#36 / 136 · 74th pct330.5
Rush yds allowed/gm#8 / 136 · 95th pct95.2
Sacks#31 / 136 · 78th pct31
Interceptions#14 / 136 · 90th pct15
3rd-down conv#120 / 136 · 12th pct33.3%
All 98 stats
Offense / Defense
Total yards
Team5086391.2/gm5.69/play#61 / 136 · 56th pct#36 / 69 · 49th pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct
Opp4296330.5/gm4.86/play#36 / 136 · 74th pct#26 / 69 · 64th pct#5 / 17 · 76th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Rush yards
Team1530117.7/gm1.71/play#108 / 136 · 21st pct#55 / 69 · 22nd pct#12 / 17 · 35th pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
Opp123795.2/gm1.40/play#8 / 136 · 95th pct#7 / 69 · 91st pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Rush carries
Team43033.1/gm#81 / 136 · 41st pct#39 / 69 · 45th pct#9 / 17 · 53rd pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct
Opp45334.8/gm#65 / 136 · 53rd pct#39 / 69 · 45th pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Rush TDs
Team181.4/gm#79 / 136 · 43rd pct#46 / 69 · 35th pct#12 / 17 · 35th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct
Opp120.9/gm#15 / 136 · 90th pct#11 / 69 · 86th pct#3 / 17 · 88th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Net pass yards
Team3556273.5/gm3.98/play#23 / 136 · 84th pct#17 / 69 · 77th pct#5 / 17 · 76th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp3059235.3/gm3.46/play#106 / 136 · 23rd pct#58 / 69 · 17th pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct
Pass attempts
Team46435.7/gm#23 / 136 · 84th pct#11 / 69 · 86th pct#6 / 17 · 71st pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Opp43133.2/gm#108 / 136 · 21st pct#52 / 69 · 26th pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct
Completions
Team28922.2/gm#27 / 136 · 81st pct#18 / 69 · 75th pct#7 / 17 · 65th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Opp27120.8/gm#111 / 136 · 19th pct#54 / 69 · 23rd pct#11 / 17 · 41st pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct
Pass TDs
Team292.2/gm#17 / 136 · 88th pct#12 / 69 · 84th pct#3 / 17 · 88th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp282.2/gm#133 / 136 · 3rd pct#68 / 69 · 3rd pct#17 / 17 · 6th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Passer rating
Team140.8140.8#47 / 136 · 66th pct#31 / 69 · 57th pct#7 / 17 · 65th pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
Opp137.0137.0#85 / 136 · 38th pct#46 / 69 · 35th pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
Interceptions thrown
Team151.2/gm#7 / 136 · 96th pct#1 / 69 · 100th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp151.2/gm#116 / 136 · 15th pct#57 / 69 · 19th pct#15 / 17 · 18th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Sacks (def)
Team312.4/gm#31 / 136 · 78th pct#19 / 69 · 74th pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct#7 / 10 · 40th pct
Opp443.4/gm#132 / 136 · 4th pct#68 / 69 · 3rd pct#17 / 17 · 6th pct#10 / 10 · 10th pct
Tackles for loss
Team1007.7/gm#7 / 136 · 96th pct#6 / 69 · 93rd pct#2 / 17 · 94th pct#5 / 10 · 60th pct
Opp796.1/gm#117 / 136 · 15th pct#63 / 69 · 10th pct#17 / 17 · 6th pct#4 / 10 · 70th pct
First downs
Team27020.8/gm#54 / 136 · 61st pct#32 / 69 · 55th pct#7 / 17 · 65th pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Opp23017.7/gm#29 / 136 · 79th pct#20 / 69 · 72nd pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
3rd-down conv
Team594.5/gm#107 / 136 · 22nd pct#57 / 69 · 19th pct#15 / 17 · 18th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Opp604.6/gm#24 / 136 · 83rd pct#10 / 69 · 87th pct#3 / 17 · 88th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
3rd-down att
Team17713.6/gm#46 / 136 · 67th pct#21 / 69 · 71st pct#7 / 17 · 65th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Opp18414.2/gm#93 / 136 · 32nd pct#49 / 69 · 30th pct#12 / 17 · 35th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct
4th-down conv
Team201.5/gm#15 / 136 · 90th pct#7 / 69 · 91st pct#2 / 17 · 94th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Opp120.9/gm#49 / 136 · 65th pct#23 / 69 · 68th pct#6 / 17 · 71st pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct
4th-down att
Team332.5/gm#24 / 136 · 83rd pct#9 / 69 · 88th pct#3 / 17 · 88th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Opp302.3/gm#92 / 136 · 33rd pct#47 / 69 · 33rd pct#13 / 17 · 29th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Time of possession
Team376:0628:56/gm#72 / 136 · 48th pct#38 / 69 · 46th pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct
Opp403:5431:04/gm#108 / 136 · 21st pct#56 / 69 · 20th pct#14 / 17 · 24th pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
Kicking & Punting
Field goals#50 / 135 · 64th pct21/26 (80.8%)
Extra points49/49
Punting#51 / 136 · 63rd pct44.2 avg · 51 punts
Turnovers & special teams
Turnovers
Team231.8/gm#8 / 136 · 95th pct#2 / 69 · 99th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Opp211.6/gm#103 / 136 · 25th pct#54 / 69 · 23rd pct#14 / 17 · 24th pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
Fumbles lost
Team80.6/gm#25 / 136 · 82nd pct#9 / 69 · 88th pct#5 / 17 · 76th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct
Opp60.5/gm#49 / 136 · 65th pct#23 / 69 · 68th pct#6 / 17 · 71st pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
INT return TDs
Team40.3/gm#2 / 135 · 99th pct#1 / 69 · 100th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Opp10.1/gm#61 / 136 · 56th pct#30 / 69 · 58th pct#6 / 17 · 71st pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
INT return yards
Team37228.6/gm#2 / 136 · 99th pct#1 / 69 · 100th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Opp22317.2/gm#122 / 136 · 11th pct#65 / 69 · 7th pct#14 / 17 · 24th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Punt ret yds
Team29322.5/gm#17 / 136 · 88th pct#12 / 69 · 84th pct#3 / 17 · 88th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp896.8/gm#50 / 136 · 64th pct#33 / 69 · 54th pct#8 / 17 · 59th pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Punt ret TDs
Team20.2/gm#5 / 135 · 97th pct#5 / 69 · 94th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#1 / 11 · 100th pct
Opp00.0/gm#1 / 135 · 100th pct#1 / 69 · 100th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#1 / 11 · 100th pct
Kick ret yds
Team58244.8/gm#28 / 136 · 80th pct#10 / 69 · 87th pct#2 / 17 · 94th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Opp65550.4/gm#115 / 136 · 16th pct#63 / 69 · 10th pct#16 / 17 · 12th pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct
Kick ret TDs
Team00.0/gm#40 / 136 · 71st pct#17 / 69 · 77th pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct#6 / 10 · 50th pct
Opp00.0/gm#1 / 135 · 100th pct#1 / 69 · 100th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#1 / 9 · 100th pct
Penalty yards
Team87667.4/gm#13 / 136 · 91st pct#6 / 69 · 93rd pct#5 / 17 · 76th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Opp95573.5/gm#134 / 136 · 2nd pct#69 / 69 · 1st pct#17 / 17 · 6th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Other
Red zone pass rate#3 / 154 · 99th pct#1 / 69 · 100th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct0.60.0/gm
Interceptions (def)#14 / 136 · 90th pct#11 / 69 · 86th pct#3 / 17 · 88th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct151.2/gm
Penalties#17 / 136 · 88th pct#5 / 69 · 94th pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct957.3/gm
H1 epa per play opponent#21 / 167 · 88th pct#13 / 69 · 83rd pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct0.10.0/gm
Kick returns#34 / 136 · 76th pct#10 / 69 · 87th pct#3 / 17 · 88th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct262.0/gm
Punt returns#36 / 136 · 74th pct#21 / 69 · 71st pct#6 / 17 · 71st pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct201.5/gm
H1 epa per play#46 / 162 · 72nd pct#34 / 69 · 52nd pct#9 / 17 · 53rd pct0.20.0/gm
Fourth down go rate#49 / 138 · 65th pct#22 / 69 · 70th pct#7 / 17 · 65th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct0.40.0/gm
Recruiting rating#51 / 138 · 64th pct#51 / 69 · 28th pct#11 / 17 · 41st pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct199.315.3/gm
Punt ret (opp)#59 / 136 · 57th pct#34 / 69 · 52nd pct#6 / 17 · 71st pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct131.0/gm
Fumbles recovered#70 / 136 · 49th pct#33 / 69 · 54th pct#7 / 17 · 65th pct#7 / 12 · 50th pct60.5/gm
First down pass rate#75 / 215 · 66th pct#25 / 69 · 65th pct#8 / 17 · 59th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct0.50.0/gm
H2 epa per play opponent#81 / 143 · 44th pct#41 / 69 · 42nd pct#11 / 17 · 41st pct0.20.0/gm
Fumbles rec (def)#86 / 136 · 38th pct#50 / 69 · 29th pct#9 / 17 · 53rd pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct80.6/gm
H2 epa per play#105 / 142 · 27th pct#54 / 69 · 23rd pct#12 / 17 · 35th pct0.10.0/gm
Kick ret (opp)#116 / 136 · 15th pct#62 / 69 · 12th pct#15 / 17 · 18th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct312.4/gm
Passes intercepted opponent#126 / 136 · 8th pct#67 / 69 · 4th pct#16 / 17 · 12th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct151.2/gm
Penalties (opp)#129 / 136 · 6th pct#68 / 69 · 3rd pct#17 / 17 · 6th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct1027.8/gm
Situational
3rd-down conversion
Off33.3%#120 / 136 · 12th pct#65 / 69 · 7th pct#17 / 17 · 6th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Def32.6%#15 / 136 · 90th pct#9 / 69 · 88th pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
4th-down conversion
Off60.6%#35 / 136 · 75th pct#23 / 69 · 68th pct#6 / 17 · 71st pct#5 / 12 · 67th pct
Def40.0%#14 / 136 · 90th pct#6 / 69 · 93rd pct#2 / 17 · 94th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Turnover margin#81 / 136 · 41st pct#44 / 69 · 38th pct#8 / 17 · 59th pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct-0.15/gm
Sack rate (def)#46 / 136 · 67th pct#29 / 69 · 59th pct#6 / 17 · 71st pct#8 / 10 · 30th pct7.2%
Red Zone & Drive Efficiency (2014– , play-by-play derived)
Red zone trips
Team634.8/gm#6 / 167 · 97th pct#5 / 69 · 94th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Opp352.7/gm#57 / 166 · 66th pct#20 / 69 · 72nd pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
Red zone score %
Team73.0%73.0%#118 / 167 · 30th pct#59 / 69 · 16th pct#15 / 17 · 18th pct#12 / 12 · 8th pct
Opp85.7%85.7%#130 / 166 · 22nd pct#59 / 69 · 16th pct#13 / 17 · 29th pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
Points / drive
Team2.10.2/gm#65 / 167 · 62nd pct#42 / 69 · 41st pct#9 / 17 · 53rd pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Opp1.60.1/gm#31 / 166 · 82nd pct#22 / 69 · 70th pct#5 / 17 · 76th pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Yards / drive
Team39.13.0/gm#98 / 167 · 42nd pct#58 / 69 · 17th pct#14 / 17 · 24th pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Opp33.22.6/gm#11 / 166 · 94th pct#6 / 69 · 93rd pct#2 / 17 · 94th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Plays / drive
Team6.10.5/gm#133 / 167 · 21st pct#64 / 69 · 9th pct#14 / 17 · 24th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct
Opp5.90.5/gm#11 / 166 · 94th pct#4 / 69 · 96th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct#3 / 12 · 83rd pct
Three-and-out rate
Team14.0%14.0%#91 / 167 · 46th pct#47 / 69 · 33rd pct#9 / 17 · 53rd pct#10 / 12 · 25th pct
Opp19.5%19.5%#17 / 166 · 90th pct#9 / 69 · 88th pct#3 / 17 · 88th pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct
Scheme Identity (2014– , play-by-play derived)
Rush rate over expected#126 / 145 · 14th pct#62 / 69 · 12th pct#13 / 17 · 29th pct-7.5%-7.5%
Havoc rate
Team18.8%18.8%#18 / 140 · 88th pct#12 / 69 · 84th pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct
Opp18.5%18.5%#125 / 140 · 11th pct#65 / 69 · 7th pct#17 / 17 · 6th pct
Standard-downs success
Team46.2%46.2%#97 / 154 · 38th pct#54 / 69 · 23rd pct#12 / 17 · 35th pct
Opp40.9%40.9%#9 / 172 · 95th pct#8 / 69 · 90th pct#2 / 17 · 94th pct
Passing-downs success
Team31.8%31.8%#66 / 153 · 58th pct#37 / 69 · 48th pct#9 / 17 · 53rd pct
Opp26.7%26.7%#23 / 149 · 85th pct#15 / 69 · 80th pct#5 / 17 · 76th pct
Line yards / carry
Team2.62.6#121 / 143 · 16th pct#61 / 69 · 13th pct#15 / 17 · 18th pct
Opp2.42.4#7 / 155 · 96th pct#5 / 69 · 94th pct#1 / 17 · 100th pct
Stuff rate
Team24.3%24.3%#131 / 143 · 9th pct#66 / 69 · 6th pct#17 / 17 · 6th pct
Opp24.6%24.6%#10 / 155 · 94th pct#6 / 69 · 93rd pct#2 / 17 · 94th pct
Power success rate
Team64.9%64.9%#100 / 137 · 28th pct#54 / 69 · 23rd pct#16 / 17 · 12th pct
Opp66.7%66.7%#49 / 141 · 66th pct#23 / 69 · 68th pct#5 / 17 · 76th pct
Efficiency
Completion %
Off62.3%#67 / 136 · 51st pct#42 / 69 · 41st pct#12 / 17 · 35th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct
Def62.9%#81 / 136 · 41st pct#42 / 69 · 41st pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#11 / 12 · 17th pct
Yards / attempt
Off7.7#48 / 136 · 65th pct#30 / 69 · 58th pct#7 / 17 · 65th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Def7.1#68 / 136 · 51st pct#42 / 69 · 41st pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#4 / 12 · 75th pct
Yards / completion
Off12.3#44 / 136 · 68th pct#21 / 69 · 71st pct#4 / 17 · 82nd pct#6 / 12 · 58th pct
Def11.3#57 / 136 · 59th pct#42 / 69 · 41st pct#9 / 17 · 53rd pct#1 / 12 · 100th pct
Yards / carry#122 / 136 · 11th pct#61 / 69 · 13th pct#13 / 17 · 29th pct#9 / 12 · 33rd pct3.6
Yards / play#69 / 136 · 50th pct#41 / 69 · 42nd pct#10 / 17 · 47th pct#8 / 12 · 42nd pct5.69
Scoring margin#34 / 136 · 76th pct#26 / 69 · 64th pct#5 / 17 · 76th pct#2 / 12 · 92nd pct+8.9/gm
FBS rankings · 2025 season · all stats vs 136 FBS programs
Player stats — 2025 season
Quarterbacks
| Player | # | G | Cmp/Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | INT | Rate | QBR | Adj ANY/A | Sack% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocket Passer · +0.24 EPA/play | 6 | 10 | 201 / 316 | 63.6 | 2357 #74 FBS | 7.5 | 16 #63 FBS | 8 | 137.9 | 59.5 | 6.1 | 8.4 | |
Yards by week → Pocket PasserBalanced passer who operates within the system, without one standout number carrying the profile. All-Conference honorable mention / 2nd team — the recognition has started. 97 of 183 QBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / attempt8.3 65th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts Rush yards / carry1.0 bottom 35th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts Trait fingerprint Plays like View Mason Heintschel's full player page | |||||||||||||
| Gunslinger · +0.42 EPA/play | 10 | 7 | 77 / 125 | 61.6 | 1081 | 8.6 | 12 | 6 | 156.3 | 47.7 | 7.9 | 3.8 | |
Yards by week → Gunslinger· Money-downGo-for-it mentality with the arm to back it up — and the turnovers to live with. saves his best for the money downs Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. 1 of 183 QBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / attempt9.3 93th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts INT rate4.8% bottom 4th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts Trait fingerprint Plays like View Eli Holstein's full player page | |||||||||||||
| +0.16 EPA/play | 9 | 3 | 11 / 22 | 50 | 118 | 5.4 | 1 | 1 | 101.0 | 18.8 | — | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||||
Running Backs
| Player | # | G | Car | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | 3rd Dn Use | Pass Dn Use | Stuff% | 10+% | Tgt Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Back · +0.11 EPA/play | 25 | 12 | 140 | 747 | 5.3 | 7 | 56 | 11.1 | 15.2 | 19.3 | 15.6 | 7.4% (30/404) | |
Yards by week → Balanced BackPlays within the scheme — consistent production without a dominant dimension. Starter — over 60% of the snaps, holding the job. 186 of 349 RBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / carry5.9 53th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Receiving share15.2% 70th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Trait fingerprint Plays like View Ja'Kyrian Turner's full player page | |||||||||||||
| Satellite Back · +0.32 EPA/play | — | 7 | 60 | 278 | 4.6 | 2 | 53 | 11.3 | 11 | 25.4 | 13.6 | 6.4% (26/404) | |
Yards by week → Satellite BackDeployed as a receiver as much as a runner. Value is in space, not between the tackles. All-Conference honorable mention / 2nd team — the recognition has started. 50 of 349 RBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Receiving share27.7% 99th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Yards / reception13.8 97th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Trait fingerprint Plays like our readFading: his CFB Index score went from the 94th percentile among FBS RBs to the 63rd | |||||||||||||
| Balanced Back · +0.23 EPA/play | 26 | 12 | 69 | 270 | 3.9 | 5 | 17 | 8.7 | 4.8 | 12.5 | 7.8 | 4.0% (16/404) | |
Yards by week → Balanced BackPlays within the scheme — consistent production without a dominant dimension. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. 186 of 349 RBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / carry4.2 bottom 13th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Rush TD rate7.2% 87th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Trait fingerprint Plays like View Juelz Goff's full player page | |||||||||||||
Receivers
| Player | # | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | 3rd Dn Use | Pass Dn Use | Tgt Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot Technician · +0.48 EPA/play | 5 | 13 | 52 | 741 | 14.2 | 7 #38 FBS | 67 | 9.6 | 10.6 | 18.3% (74/404) | |
Yards by week → Slot TechnicianRuns precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. 97 of 558 WRs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Reception volume52 83th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions TD rate13.5% 79th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like our readUnranked recruit — top-quartile production against his own recruiting profile our readAscending: his CFB Index score moved from the 58th to 84th percentile among FBS WRs | |||||||||||
| Possession Receiver · +0.52 EPA/play | 2 | 13 | 47 | 658 | 14 | 5 | 42 | 9 | 11.4 | 18.1% (73/404) | |
Yards by week → Possession ReceiverReliable target who converts on critical downs. Not flashy; consistently productive. The most common profile in its group this season — 332 of 558 classified this way. Played in 13 of 21 games this season · junior our readUnranked recruit — top-quartile production against his own recruiting profile | |||||||||||
| Deep Threat · +0.40 EPA/play | 81 | 11 | 24 | 422 | 17.6 | 4 | 84 | 3.7 | 6 | 9.4% (38/404) | |
Yards by week → Deep Threat· Boom-or-bustStretches the field vertically. Every snap is a potential big play. his yards come in chunks — feast or famine 100 of 558 WRs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / reception21.2 98th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions TD rate16.7% 91th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like our readAscending: his CFB Index score now sits at the 48th percentile among FBS WRs, up from the 3rd | |||||||||||
| Complete TE · +0.36 EPA/play | 88 | 11 | 28 | 301 | 10.8 | 4 | 23 | 2.9 | 4.4 | 9.2% (37/404) | |
Yards by week → Complete TENo single go-to route — the receiving numbers show up inline and split out alike. The most common profile in its group this season — 177 of 223 classified this way. Played in 11 of 21 games this season · senior View Justin Holmes's full player page | |||||||||||
| +0.77 EPA/play | 80 | 8 | 11 | 202 | 18.4 | 1 | 68 | 2.9 | 3 | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||
| Complete TE · +1.37 EPA/play | 82 | 9 | 13 | 192 | 14.8 | 2 | 34 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.0% (16/404) | |
Yards by week → Complete TENo single go-to route — the receiving numbers show up inline and split out alike. 177 of 223 TEs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / reception7.3 bottom 11th percentile · FBS TEs, min. 8 receptions EPA / play (adj)1.4 99th percentile · FBS TEs, min. 8 receptions Trait fingerprint Plays like View Malachi Thomas's full player page | |||||||||||
| Possession Receiver · +0.37 EPA/play | 22 | 13 | 13 | 142 | 10.9 | 1 | 30 | 5.3 | 4.5 | 5.0% (20/404) | |
Yards by week → Possession ReceiverReliable target who converts on critical downs. Not flashy; consistently productive. 332 of 558 WRs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Yards / reception10.9 bottom 27th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Reception volume13 bottom 12th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint View Deuce Spann's full player page | |||||||||||
| +1.29 EPA/play | 11 | 3 | 5 | 86 | 17.2 | 0 | 31 | 4.4 | 4.1 | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||
| Complete TE · +0.14 EPA/play | 87 | 8 | 10 | 78 | 7.8 | 1 | 14 | 3.4 | 4.2 | — | |
Yards by week → Complete TENo single go-to route — the receiving numbers show up inline and split out alike. The most common profile in its group this season — 177 of 223 classified this way. Played in 8 of 21 games this season · senior View Jake Overman's full player page | |||||||||||
| +0.38 EPA/play | 23 | 6 | 7 | 60 | 8.6 | 1 | 18 | 7.7 | 6.9 | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||
| +1.22 EPA/play | 85 | 3 | 6 | 51 | 8.5 | 1 | 20 | 2.6 | 3.4 | — | |
Yards by week → | |||||||||||
Defensive Line
| Player | # | G | Tot | Solo | TFL | Sack | Hur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Gap Base | 97 | 13 | 36 | 18 | 7 | 3.5 | 4 |
Two-Gap BaseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. Starter — over 60% of the snaps, holding the job. The most common profile in its group this season — 388 of 809 classified this way. Played in 13 of 21 games this season · sophomore · 3-star, 2023 class our readBreakout: his CFB Index score went from the 21st percentile among FBS IDLs to the 81st | |||||||
| Two-Gap Base | 95 | 11 | 34 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
Two-Gap BaseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. The most common profile in its group this season — 388 of 809 classified this way. Played in 11 of 21 games this season · sophomore · 3-star, 2024 class our readBreakout: his CFB Index score climbed from the 31st percentile to the 75th among FBS IDLs | |||||||
| Two-Gap Base | 55 | 8 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Two-Gap BaseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. The most common profile in its group this season — 388 of 809 classified this way. Played in 8 of 21 games this season · junior · 3-star, 2022 class our readAscending: his CFB Index score went from the 5th percentile among FBS IDLs to the 31st | |||||||
| Two-Gap Base | 45 | 10 | 23 | 10 | 4.5 | 2 | 3 |
Two-Gap BaseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. The most common profile in its group this season — 388 of 809 classified this way. Played in 10 of 21 games this season · senior View Joseph Zelinsky's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 11 | 11 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate28.6% 93th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Nick James's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 44 | 11 | 17 | 8 | 7.5 | 4 | 8 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate44.1% 100th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Jimmy Scott's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 10 | 7 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2.5 | 3 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate31.2% 96th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Blaine Spires's full player page | |||||||
| Two-Gap Base | 53 | 3 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 1.5 | 1 |
Two-Gap BaseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. 388 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate20.0% 71th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Zach Crothers's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 25 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 3.5 | 1 | 1 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate29.2% 94th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Jahsear Whittington's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 6 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 1.5 | 0 | 3 |
3-Tech PenetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 269 of 809 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate13.6% bottom 46th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Nate Temple's full player page | |||||||
Linebackers
| Player | # | G | Tot | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sack | PD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Linebacker | 3 | 10 | 100 | 39 | 61 | 17 #9 FBS | 4.5 | 4 | 2 |
Balanced LinebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. Starter — over 60% of the snaps, holding the job. 362 of 660 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Tackle volume100 96th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles TFL rate17.0% 86th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Trait fingerprint Plays like View Rasheem Biles's full player page | |||||||||
| Balanced Linebacker | 9 | 10 | 79 | 43 | 36 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Balanced LinebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. All-Conference honorable mention / 2nd team — the recognition has started. The most common profile in its group this season — 362 of 660 classified this way. Played in 10 of 21 games this season · junior · 3-star, 2022 class View Kyle Louis's full player page | |||||||||
| Balanced Linebacker | — | 13 | 79 | 41 | 38 | 5.5 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Balanced LinebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. Starter — over 60% of the snaps, holding the job. The most common profile in its group this season — 362 of 660 classified this way. Played in 13 of 21 games this season · junior · 3-star, 2023 class View Braylan Lovelace's full player page | |||||||||
| Sideline-to-Sideline | 24 | 8 | 32 | 20 | 12 | 5.5 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Sideline-to-SidelineRanges from hash to hash and makes his own tackles. 102 of 660 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Solo tackle rate0.6 88th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles TFL rate17.2% 87th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Trait fingerprint Plays like View Cameron Lindsey's full player page | |||||||||
| Sideline-to-Sideline | 31 | 7 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Sideline-to-SidelineRanges from hash to hash and makes his own tackles. 102 of 660 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Solo tackle rate0.7 96th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles TFL rate18.8% 91th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Trait fingerprint Plays like View Nick Lapi's full player page | |||||||||
| Coverage 'Backer | 52 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Coverage 'BackerCarries tight ends and patrols the middle of the field in coverage. 99 of 660 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate6.2% 90th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Tackle volume16 bottom 11th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Trait fingerprint Plays like View Abe Ibrahim's full player page | |||||||||
| 38 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 37 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Defensive Backs
| Player | # | G | Tot | PD | INT | TFL | Sack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Nickel | 20 | 12 | 58 | 4 | 3 #56 FBS | 1 | 0 |
Hybrid Nickel· Takeaway threatMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. the kind of DB who takes it back the other way Starter — over 60% of the snaps, holding the job. 419 of 801 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate6.9% bottom 44th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like our readTwo-star recruit — top-quartile production against his own recruiting profile | |||||||
| Hybrid Nickel | 12 | 10 | 53 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Hybrid NickelMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. The most common profile in its group this season — 419 of 801 classified this way. Played in 10 of 21 games this season · sophomore · 3-star, 2023 class our readAscending: his CFB Index score moved from the 49th to 74th percentile among FBS Ss | |||||||
| Box Safety | 7 | 12 | 50 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Box SafetyLives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. 166 of 801 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Tackle volume50 65th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Javon Mcintyre's full player page | |||||||
| Hybrid Nickel | 15 | 11 | 42 | 5 | 0 | 1.5 | 1 |
Hybrid NickelMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. Part-time starter — splitting the role or filling in on injury. 419 of 801 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate11.9% 70th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Rashad Battle's full player page | |||||||
| Hybrid Nickel | 28 | 11 | 31 | 4 | 1 | 4.5 | 0 |
Hybrid Nickel· Takeaway threatMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. the kind of DB who takes it back the other way 419 of 801 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt View Shawn Lee Jr.'s full player pagePD rate12.9% 74th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles | |||||||
| Hybrid Nickel | 21 | 10 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Hybrid NickelMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. The most common profile in its group this season — 419 of 801 classified this way. Played in 10 of 21 games this season · sophomore · 3-star, 2023 class View Shadarian Harrison's full player page | |||||||
| Hybrid Nickel | 8 | 9 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Hybrid NickelMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. The most common profile in its group this season — 419 of 801 classified this way. Played in 9 of 21 games this season · senior our readFading: his CFB Index score now sits at the 23rd percentile among FBS Ss, up from the 67th | |||||||
| Hybrid Nickel | 26 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hybrid NickelMoves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB. 419 of 801 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate0.0% bottom 14th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Allen Bryant's full player page | |||||||
| 22 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 17 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Kicking
| Player | # | G | FG M/A | FG% | XP M/A | Pts | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic | 93 | 11 | 20/23 | 87.0 | 43/43 | 103 | 47 |
| 94 | 2 | 1/3 | 33.3 | 6/6 | 9 | 24 |
Punting
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | Long | In20 | TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steady | 91 | 13 | 51 | 2253 | 44.2 | 60 | 9 | 5 |
Net average is unavailable — CFBD's punting feed carries gross yards only, with no return-yardage or touchback deduction.
Kick Returns
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Possession Receiver · +0.37 EPA/play | 22 | 13 | 15 | 318 | 21.2 | 0 | 41 |
| Possession Receiver · +0.52 EPA/play | 2 | 13 | 5 | 159 | 31.8 | 0 | 78 |
| Deep Threat · +0.40 EPA/play | 81 | 11 | 5 | 69 | 13.8 | 0 | 27 |
Punt Returns
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Possession Receiver · +0.52 EPA/play | 2 | 13 | 14 | 179 | 12.8 | 1 | 66 |
| Satellite Back · +0.32 EPA/play | — | 7 | 5 | 105 | 21 | 1 | 88 |
2025 stat leaders
final
2025 stat leaders
1.
Rasheem Biles
LB
100 tot (def)
2.
Braylan Lovelace
LB
79.0 tot (def)
3.
Raphael Williams
WR
741 yds (rec)
4.
Mason Heintschel
QB
2,357 yds (pass)
5.
Kavir Bains
DB
58.0 tot (def)
Roster
2025
27
players carry a qualified CFB Index Score this season.
Rasheem Biles
LB
#14 of 583
Kyle Louis
LB
#47 of 583
Braylan Lovelace
LB
#85 of 583
Kavir Bains
S
#89 of 544
Raphael Williams
WR
#90 of 485
Ja'Kyrian Turner
RB
#64 of 326
+21 more
Pittsburgh · 2025 schedule & results8-5Brutal slateAverage opponent win rate 53% · 5 AP top-25 opponents on the schedule. 2 ranked wins banked (time-of-game rank).
| Wk | Date | Us | Opp | Line | Opponent | Result | Record | Conf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 30 | #41 | #133 | -39 | Duquesne | W 61–9 123 | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| 2 | Sep 6 | #47 | #112 | -21.5 | Central Michigan | W 45–17 126 | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| 3 | Sep 13 | #40 | #95 | -7 | @West Virginia | L 24–31 161 | 2-1 | 0-0 |
| 5 | Sep 27 | #49 | #32 | +3.5 | Louisville | L 27–34 139 | 2-2 | 0-1 |
| 6 | Oct 4 | #52 | #69 | -6.5 | Boston College | W 48–7 142 | 3-2 | 1-1 |
| 7 | Oct 11 | #43 | #54 | +11.5 | @Florida StateTop 25 win | W 34–31 133 | 4-2 | 2-1 |
| 8 | Oct 18 | #34 | #89 | -8.5 | @Syracuse | W 30–13 131 | 5-2 | 3-1 |
| 9 | Oct 25 | #34 | #39 | -5 | NC State | W 53–34 142 | 6-2 | 4-1 |
| 10 | Nov 1 | #33 | #119 | -13.5 | @Stanford | W 35–20 144 | 7-2 | 5-1 |
| 12 | Nov 15 | #30 | #2 | +13 | Notre Dame | L 15–37 132 | 7-3 | 5-1 |
| 13 | Nov 23 | #32 | #43 | +2.5 | @Georgia TechTop 25 win | W 42–28 141 | 8-3 | 6-1 |
| 14 | Nov 29 | #32 | #9 | +6.5 | Miami | L 7–38 125 | 8-4 | 6-2 |
| Bowl Season | ||||||||
| 18 | Dec 27 | #36 | #41 | -6 | East Carolina (N) | L 17–23 | 8-5 | 6-2 |
Advanced box score (EPA, success rate, explosiveness)▼
| Date | Opp | Result | Yds | TO | TOP | EPA/play | Success% | Explosive% | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 27 | East Carolina | L 17–23 | — | — | — | +0.053 | 45.7% | 101.7% | Best defensive stand |
| Nov 29 | Miami | L 7–38 | 229 | 1 | 24:05 | +0.109 | 27.3% | 161.9% | Blowout loss |
| Nov 23 | @Georgia Tech | W 42–28 | 412 | 0 | 29:35 | +0.167 | 44.9% | 139.7% | |
| Nov 15 | Notre Dame | L 15–37 | 219 | 1 | 24:43 | -0.186 | 28.8% | 101.0% | Season-low EPA/play |
| Nov 1 | @Stanford | W 35–20 | 466 | 4 | 30:30 | +0.108 | 40.0% | 164.7% | Most explosive |
| Oct 25 | NC State | W 53–34 | 529 | 1 | 34:56 | +0.259 | 41.2% | 145.6% | Defense's roughest night |
| Oct 18 | @Syracuse | W 30–13 | 260 | 1 | 29:58 | -0.017 | 28.1% | 113.9% | |
| Oct 11 | @Florida State | W 34–31 | 479 | 2 | 32:35 | +0.391 | 47.1% | 138.3% | One-score win |
| Oct 4 | Boston College | W 48–7 | 503 | 0 | 39:08 | +0.357 | 44.2% | 134.6% | Blowout win |
| Sep 27 | Louisville | L 27–34 | 339 | 5 | 20:38 | +0.044 | 34.5% | 125.8% | One-score loss |
| Sep 13 | @West Virginia | L 24–31 | 350 | 1 | 28:59 | +0.066 | 34.8% | 131.5% | One-score loss |
| Sep 6 | Central Michigan | W 45–17 | 464 | 1 | 23:17 | +0.468 | 56.1% | 131.4% | Season-high EPA/play |
| Aug 30 | Duquesne | W 61–9 | 460 | 1 | 24:37 | +0.399 | 46.9% | 151.8% | Blowout win |
| Season average (13 games) | 392 | 1.5 | +0.171 | 40.0% | 134.0% | ||||
How They Play · 2025
How They Play · 2025Pittsburgh fields a capable pass-first, explosive, big-play offense behind an elite, gives up the big play defense.
Opponent-adjusted percentiles vs all FBS. Bar = where this team ranks — right is better.
Team identity · competitive snaps only
How Pittsburgh actually scores
60th percentile quality, 39th percentile boom-dependency. Garbage time excluded from both axes — the same correction that changes the Q4 story below.
View all FBS teams as a table
| Team | Quality percentile | Boom-share percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 86th | 11th |
| Akron | 12th | 89th |
| Alabama | 58th | 17th |
| App State | 35th | 47th |
| Arizona | 64th | 37th |
| Arizona State | 41st | 62nd |
| Arkansas | 90th | 12th |
| Arkansas State | 17th | 66th |
| Army | 57th | 43rd |
| Auburn | 47th | 53rd |
| BYU | 78th | 19th |
| Baylor | 69th | 25th |
| Boise State | 66th | 20th |
| Boston College | 37th | 54th |
| Bowling Green | 2nd | 98th |
| Buffalo | 11th | 88th |
| California | 28th | 48th |
| Central Michigan | 52nd | 64th |
| Cincinnati | 89th | 16th |
| Clemson | 51st | 48th |
| Coastal Carolina | 17th | 83rd |
| Colorado | 18th | 84th |
| Colorado State | 16th | 83rd |
| Delaware | 38th | 58th |
| Duke | 80th | 14th |
| East Carolina | 63rd | 36th |
| Eastern Michigan | 49th | 42nd |
| Florida | 30th | 67th |
| Florida Atlantic | 62nd | 59th |
| Florida International | 42nd | 50th |
| Florida State | 83rd | 32nd |
| Fresno State | 26th | 73rd |
| Georgia | 81st | 3rd |
| Georgia Southern | 73rd | 21st |
| Georgia State | 36th | 70th |
| Georgia Tech | 84th | 5th |
| Hawai'i | 64th | 41st |
| Houston | 27th | 65th |
| Illinois | 75th | 26th |
| Indiana | 95th | 1st |
| Iowa | 44th | 40th |
| Iowa State | 68th | 22nd |
| Jacksonville State | 54th | 38th |
| James Madison | 65th | 44th |
| Kansas | 85th | 28th |
| Kansas State | 71st | 49th |
| Kennesaw State | 56th | 30th |
| Kent State | 21st | 86th |
| Kentucky | 15th | 85th |
| LSU | 14th | 81st |
| Liberty | 43rd | 56th |
| Louisiana | 19th | 73rd |
| Louisiana Tech | 39th | 61st |
| Louisville | 48th | 64th |
| Marshall | 55th | 39th |
| Maryland | 30th | 74th |
| Memphis | 80th | 24th |
| Miami | 76th | 5th |
| Miami (OH) | 34th | 67th |
| Michigan | 67th | 33rd |
| Michigan State | 27th | 75th |
| Middle Tennessee | 39th | 52nd |
| Minnesota | 29th | 77th |
| Mississippi State | 22nd | 77th |
| Missouri | 61st | 30th |
| Missouri State | 55th | 46th |
| NC State | 86th | 23rd |
| Navy | 94th | 17th |
| Nebraska | 48th | 57th |
| Nevada | 3rd | 97th |
| New Mexico | 58th | 60th |
| New Mexico State | 9th | 87th |
| North Carolina | 13th | 89th |
| North Texas | 98th | 7th |
| Northern Illinois | 8th | 92nd |
| Northwestern | 52nd | 36th |
| Notre Dame | 99th | 20th |
| Ohio | 67th | 18th |
| Ohio State | 93rd | 4th |
| Oklahoma | 20th | 80th |
| Oklahoma State | 5th | 95th |
| Old Dominion | 83rd | 45th |
| Ole Miss | 89th | 2nd |
| Oregon | 91st | 10th |
| Oregon State | 2nd | 98th |
| Penn State | 73rd | 33rd |
| Pittsburgh | 60th | 39th |
| Purdue | 25th | 78th |
| Rice | 6th | 94th |
| Rutgers | 70th | 27th |
| SMU | 74th | 42nd |
| Sam Houston | 4th | 96th |
| San Diego State | 24th | 76th |
| San José State | 45th | 69th |
| South Alabama | 36th | 58th |
| South Carolina | 23rd | 86th |
| South Florida | 87th | 23rd |
| Southern Miss | 40th | 55th |
| Stanford | 10th | 90th |
| Syracuse | 5th | 95th |
| TCU | 72nd | 35th |
| Temple | 70th | 34th |
| Tennessee | 96th | 11th |
| Texas | 45th | 55th |
| Texas A&M | 82nd | 14th |
| Texas State | 92nd | 8th |
| Texas Tech | 77th | 31st |
| Toledo | 50th | 61st |
| Troy | 14th | 80th |
| Tulane | 79th | 15th |
| Tulsa | 20th | 70th |
| UAB | 61st | 45th |
| UCF | 33rd | 82nd |
| UCLA | 23rd | 79th |
| UConn | 95th | 13th |
| UL Monroe | 11th | 92nd |
| UNLV | 88th | 9th |
| USC | 98th | 2nd |
| UTEP | 1st | 99th |
| UTSA | 77th | 51st |
| Utah | 97th | 6th |
| Utah State | 46th | 63rd |
| Vanderbilt | 100th | 0th |
| Virginia | 59th | 27th |
| Virginia Tech | 32nd | 71st |
| Wake Forest | 42nd | 72nd |
| Washington | 92nd | 8th |
| Washington State | 33rd | 52nd |
| West Virginia | 7th | 93rd |
| Western Kentucky | 53rd | 29th |
| Western Michigan | 31st | 68th |
| Wisconsin | 0th | 100th |
| Wyoming | 8th | 91st |
Fourth-quarter reliability, corrected
Pittsburgh's 4th-quarter offense, before and after garbage time
Raw Q4 EPA/play ranks 14th percentile in FBS. Strip out snaps taken with a blowout margin and it climbs to the 49th — the correction is the finding, not a footnote.
Standard downs vs. passing downs
Does Pittsburgh hold up once the down-and-distance turns against them?
35th percentile success on standard downs, 56th on passing downs — a 21-point gap between the two.
View all FBS teams as a table
| Team | Standard-downs percentile | Passing-downs percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 82nd | 69th |
| Akron | 20th | 36th |
| Alabama | 47th | 76th |
| App State | 41st | 80th |
| Arizona | 54th | 54th |
| Arizona State | 40th | 37th |
| Arkansas | 90th | 97th |
| Arkansas State | 51st | 40th |
| Army | 37th | 44th |
| Auburn | 73rd | 24th |
| Austin Peay | 56th | 13th |
| BYU | 91st | 46th |
| Ball State | 5th | 3rd |
| Baylor | 70th | 77th |
| Boise State | 42nd | 63rd |
| Boston College | 56th | 54th |
| Bowling Green | 10th | 17th |
| Bryant | 7th | 2nd |
| Buffalo | 29th | 20th |
| California | 25th | 66th |
| Central Michigan | 57th | 11th |
| Charlotte | 7th | 7th |
| Cincinnati | 89th | 65th |
| Clemson | 49th | 34th |
| Coastal Carolina | 16th | 22nd |
| Colorado | 8th | 48th |
| Colorado State | 29th | 35th |
| Delaware | 66th | 31st |
| Duke | 82nd | 63rd |
| East Carolina | 63rd | 91st |
| Eastern Michigan | 46th | 67th |
| Florida | 52nd | 45th |
| Florida Atlantic | 44th | 61st |
| Florida International | 50th | 26th |
| Florida State | 65th | 90th |
| Fresno State | 22nd | 71st |
| Georgia | 95th | 69th |
| Georgia Southern | 64th | 84th |
| Georgia State | 22nd | 75th |
| Georgia Tech | 92nd | 89th |
| Hawai'i | 33rd | 87th |
| Houston | 61st | 29th |
| Idaho | 30th | 78th |
| Idaho State | 93rd | 14th |
| Illinois | 79th | 95th |
| Indiana | 97th | 98th |
| Iowa | 74th | 19th |
| Iowa State | 80th | 58th |
| Jacksonville State | 59th | 56th |
| James Madison | 77th | 52nd |
| Kansas | 99th | 82nd |
| Kansas State | 37th | 59th |
| Kennesaw State | 44th | 67th |
| Kent State | 15th | 5th |
| Kentucky | 62nd | 29th |
| LSU | 18th | 52nd |
| Lafayette | 0th | 12th |
| Liberty | 65th | 53rd |
| Lindenwood | 4th | 1st |
| Long Island University | 24th | 78th |
| Louisiana | 24th | 23rd |
| Louisiana Tech | 41st | 24th |
| Louisville | 84th | 32nd |
| Maine | 3rd | 18th |
| Marshall | 71st | 62nd |
| Maryland | 11th | 86th |
| Massachusetts | 5th | 9th |
| Memphis | 75th | 68th |
| Merrimack | 1st | 83rd |
| Miami | 80th | 64th |
| Miami (OH) | 33rd | 39th |
| Michigan | 73rd | 74th |
| Michigan State | 48th | 39th |
| Middle Tennessee | 69th | 47th |
| Minnesota | 35th | 33rd |
| Mississippi State | 52nd | 35th |
| Missouri | 76th | 50th |
| Missouri State | 32nd | 50th |
| Murray State | 1st | 6th |
| NC State | 58th | 71st |
| Navy | 95th | 72nd |
| Nebraska | 78th | 51st |
| Nevada | 17th | 16th |
| New Mexico | 38th | 60th |
| New Mexico State | 16th | 33rd |
| North Carolina | 14th | 30th |
| North Texas | 100th | 97th |
| Northern Illinois | 9th | 5th |
| Northwestern | 48th | 88th |
| Notre Dame | 88th | 99th |
| Ohio | 69th | 76th |
| Ohio State | 99th | 99th |
| Oklahoma | 39th | 41st |
| Oklahoma State | 14th | 7th |
| Old Dominion | 72nd | 79th |
| Ole Miss | 83rd | 95th |
| Oregon | 93rd | 55th |
| Oregon State | 54th | 25th |
| Penn State | 76th | 73rd |
| Pittsburgh | 35th | 56th |
| Purdue | 46th | 88th |
| Rice | 20th | 0th |
| Rutgers | 71st | 84th |
| SMU | 50th | 57th |
| Sam Houston | 26th | 4th |
| San Diego State | 84th | 1st |
| San José State | 68th | 70th |
| South Alabama | 53rd | 28th |
| South Carolina | 31st | 8th |
| South Carolina State | 10th | 3rd |
| South Florida | 86th | 46th |
| Southern Miss | 27th | 38th |
| Stanford | 12th | 12th |
| Syracuse | 19th | 10th |
| TCU | 63rd | 82nd |
| Temple | 85th | 22nd |
| Tennessee | 97th | 81st |
| Texas | 27th | 61st |
| Texas A&M | 88th | 59th |
| Texas State | 60th | 93rd |
| Texas Tech | 45th | 65th |
| Toledo | 67th | 42nd |
| Troy | 18th | 27th |
| Tulane | 81st | 86th |
| Tulsa | 43rd | 43rd |
| UAB | 34th | 94th |
| UCF | 39th | 20th |
| UCLA | 28th | 48th |
| UConn | 96th | 37th |
| UL Monroe | 13th | 14th |
| UNLV | 78th | 85th |
| USC | 94th | 90th |
| UT Martin | 2nd | 41st |
| UTEP | 3rd | 10th |
| UTSA | 67th | 92nd |
| Utah | 87th | 96th |
| Utah State | 31st | 49th |
| Vanderbilt | 90th | 100th |
| Virginia | 36th | 73rd |
| Virginia Tech | 59th | 21st |
| Wake Forest | 21st | 31st |
| Washington | 98th | 93rd |
| Washington State | 61st | 44th |
| West Virginia | 12th | 18th |
| Western Kentucky | 55th | 80th |
| Western Michigan | 86th | 16th |
| Wisconsin | 6th | 27th |
| Wyoming | 23rd | 15th |
Halftime identity
Pittsburgh by half
1st-half offense ranks 72nd percentile in FBS; 2nd-half, 27th — competitive snaps only, garbage time excluded from both halves.
Schedule mirage
How much of Pittsburgh's number is the schedule?
Raw EPA/play through week 21 is 0.17; 56th percentile once opponent strength is stripped out, it's 0.04. The widest gap came in week 2: 0.43 raw vs. 0.06 adjusted.
Pittsburgh reads strongest in rushing epa allowed (top 5%) and success rate allowed (top 7%); the crux lives in explosive plays allowed, where Pittsburgh sits at the 6th percentile.
offense · strengths lead
defense · higher bar = harder to play against
hidden math · special situations
ELITE · 90+STRONG · 70+AVERAGE · 40-70CONCERN · 10-40BOTTOM · <10
Most Similar Programs · Pittsburgh
Most Similar Programs · PittsburghReads Like
BYUTier 3 · Prestige T4 · Similarly-sized rosters up frontMinnesotaTier 3 · Prestige T4 · Similarly-sized rosters up frontOklahoma StateTier 3 · Prestige T4 · Similarly-sized rosters up front
Static-attribute similarity across tier, archetype, conference, and voice. Not a prediction — a calibration.
Home-Field Advantage · Pittsburgh · 2018-present
Strong
66% home win rate vs 51% on the road. margin runs +9.3 better at home. Acrisure Stadium seats 68,400, averaging 76% full (52,080 attendance, 27 games reported).
Home35-18Away21-20
Positional competition · RB room
The carries are split. The job isn’t.
Ja'Kyrian Turner and Juelz Goff split the carries (136/201 vs 65/201) -- but the job isn't split the same way. Juelz Goff produces in bigger chunks.
Ja'Kyrian TurnerJuelz Goff
Carries
the baseline -- every row below is tested against this split, not a flat 50/50
Inside the 5
shared -- dots touch, this room really is a committee here
Q4, leading (competitive)
shared -- dots touch, this room really is a committee here
Targets
shared -- dots touch, this room really is a committee here
Top-5-carry share
concentration and EPA/carry agree -- a real boom/bust split
Screened 4 claims, 1 survived, 3 falsified
Positional competition · WR/TE room
The targets are split. The job isn’t.
Raphael Williams (WR) and Justin Holmes (TE) split the targets (70/104 vs 34/104) -- but the job isn't split the same way.
Raphael WilliamsJustin Holmes
Targets
the baseline -- every row below is tested against this split, not a flat 50/50
3rd-down targets
shared -- dots touch, this room really is a committee here
Inside the 10
shared -- dots touch, this room really is a committee here
Top-5-catch share
concentration alone -- EPA/target doesn't corroborate, read with caution
Screened 3 claims, 0 survived, 3 falsified
What changed
Pittsburgh’s play-calling, before and after the change
Offense: Frank Cignetti (2022–2023) → Kade Bell (2024–2025)
The biggest shift: red-zone pass rate moved up 22 points. The rest held closer to steady.
1st-down pass rate
Red-zone pass rate
4th-down go rate
Defense: Josh Conklin (2015–2017) → Randy Bates (2018–2025)
The biggest shift: red-zone pass rate moved up 14 points. The rest held closer to steady.
1st-down pass rate
Red-zone pass rate
4th-down go rate
Season by season
How Pittsburgh’s current staff calls plays, year over year
Offense: Kade Bell (2024–2025)
1st-down pass rate
2024: 47% → 2025: 46% · 1-pt range · #169 of 171 · less than most
Red-zone pass rate
2024: 58% → 2025: 60% · 2-pt range · #169 of 171 · less than most
4th-down go rate
2024: 18% → 2025: 43% · 25-pt range · #35 of 171 · more than most
Defense: Randy Bates (2018–2025)
1st-down pass rate
2018: 30% → 2025: 46% · 24-pt range · #4 of 189 · more than most
Red-zone pass rate
2018: 15% → 2025: 60% · 46-pt range · #1 of 189 · more than most
4th-down go rate
2018: 24% → 2025: 43% · 25-pt range · #39 of 188 · more than most
Defensive identity · pass zones
What this defense gives up, by zone.
On short passes, Pittsburgh’s defense allows a completion rate above the FBS mean (66.3% vs 65.9% league-wide, shrunk toward the mean for its 162-play sample) — mid-pack, 75 of 133 qualifying defenses.
We won’t show a deep-ball leaderboard here: at the defense level, most teams face well under 30 rich-feed deep targets all season — too thin to tell a real tendency from noise, so we won’t guess.
Screened 133 claims, 133 survived · 2025 only, in the 399 games with the detailed play-text feed; n=162 short-zone plays faced, raw rate 66.7%
Venue texture
62°F average kickoff temp; 11% of games had measurable precipitation; 8 mph average wind.
Based on 80 home games with weather data.
The CFP Era
12 seasons inside the CFP era, no bids yet — the era the program is still trying to break into.
TRAJECTORY · quality-score line · AP rank dotted · CFP bids marked · coach regimes ribboned
Program Quality
AP Rank (inverted)
CFP Appearance
Pittsburgh's 2014–2025 record is 86-67. The era is still being written; the CFP line is the one the program is arguing for.
Backyard Brawl
101 meetings since 1906 See the whole history →
Heat trajectory
Week-by-week rivalry heat isn't tracked yet for this matchup — check back as the 2026-27 season approaches and real fan-intel signal accumulates.
Fan Heat Index
Who's more worked up right now
Cross-fanbase rivalry sentiment for this matchup hasn't been measured yet this week — both sides show as neutral until real signal comes in.
Pittsburgh
Awaiting
West Virginia
Awaiting
Pittsburgh
—
West Virginia
—
THE LAST 5 · year-by-year
- L 2025 Loss 24–31
- W 2024 Win 38–34
- L 2023 Loss 6–17
- W 2022 Win 38–31
- L 2011 Loss 20–21
All-Time Record
729-524-37
since 1896 · 127 seasons · .565 win rate
HOME
482-249-19
AWAY
231-249-18
NEUTRAL
16-26
1890s
1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
The program, in full — read the essay
Pitt won a national title in 1976. Tony Dorsett took the Heisman. Dan Marino threw here before he was Dan Marino. The sport knows all of this and keeps talking about Pittsburgh like it's a question mark — and in October 2025 an 18-year-old named Mason Heintschel threw for 423 yards in a single game and asked the country to pay attention again.
Pittsburgh predates the Steelers. Pop Warner built an early dynasty here. Jock Sutherland's teams won national titles in the 1930s. The program wore blue and gold before the NFL franchise existed in the city, and it helped invent what Western Pennsylvania football looks like — physical, working-class, built to finish. Tony Dorsett's 1976 Heisman season and consensus national championship are the program's defining glory; Dan Marino throwing from the same stadium a few years later put the program in a different category of heritage. Pitt is not a fallen program asking to be remembered — it is an old power the sport has chosen to forget, which is a different and more irritating condition.
Pat Narduzzi has been here for eleven years. The 2021 ACC championship — 11 wins, Kenny Pickett as a Heisman finalist — was the moment that broke the silence, proof the old power could still win a conference title in the modern era. The years since have been 7-9 win seasons and Backyard Brawl losses to West Virginia, the kind of record that satisfies no one who grew up watching Dorsett's number retired at Acrisure Stadium. The 2025 season's headline wasn't the final record — 8-5, a Military Bowl loss to East Carolina — it was October, when true freshman Mason Heintschel took over at quarterback and threw for 423 yards in a 53-34 win over NC State. A freshman who wasn't heavily recruited breaking a program passing record in his fourth collegiate start, in the middle of the season, is either the signal the fanbase has been waiting for or a very good single game. 2026 will determine which.
The question the 2026 schedule will answer: is Heintschel the quarterback that ends the long wait for relevance in an ACC that Pitt has beaten once at the conference level in the modern era? The Narduzzi loyalty/Narduzzi fatigue fracture runs on exactly this — credit him for finding the freshman, or demand more than 8-win seasons from a program with nine claimed national titles. Either way, the Panthers play at Acrisure Stadium, on the Allegheny, in the same colors as the city — and the heritage the country keeps forgetting is still in the record books.
How they play
Steel-city blue-collar: a defense-first, physical program built on Narduzzi's defensive scheme — zone coverage, aggressive pass rush, fundamentals-over-athleticism on the back end. The offense has historically been balanced but unremarkable; Heintschel's emergence suggests a shift toward a more QB-driven passing system in 2026, though the offensive line depth will determine whether that materializes. The Backyard Brawl with West Virginia is the cultural center of the program's year.
Steady
Pittsburgh 2016–2025. Holding the line. The 10-year slope (+0.06 rungs / yr) doesn't tilt either way — the program lives at roughly Tier 3.
CFP Era · Pittsburgh
12 seasons on file
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
down middle peak CFP year
Season Standing · 2025 · 8-5 · CFP #22 / AP #24
Season Standing · 2025 · 8-5 · CFP #22 / AP #24Ranked (25-16)
Pittsburgh: Ranked in the AP/Coaches polls, 16-25. National relevance achieved.
R0R1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9
Sub-FBSBuildingBowlRankedContenderPlayoff
ACC Standing · 2025
5th in the ACC
Pittsburgh sits 5th of 17 in the ACC at 6-2. Mid-conference — moves up or down depend on rivalry results and the late-season closing run.
| # | Program | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke | 7-2 |
| 2 | Virginia | 7-3 |
| 3 | Georgia Tech | 6-2 |
| 4 | Miami | 6-2 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | 6-2 |
| 6 | SMU | 6-2 |
| 7 | NC State | 5-4 |
| 8 | California | 4-4 |
| 9 | Clemson | 4-4 |
| 10 | Louisville | 4-4 |
| 11 | Wake Forest | 4-4 |
| 12 | Stanford | 3-5 |
| 13 | Florida State | 2-6 |
| 14 | North Carolina | 2-6 |
| 15 | Virginia Tech | 2-6 |
| 16 | Boston College | 1-7 |
| 17 | Syracuse | 1-7 |
Coaching Era · Pittsburgh
Coaching Era · PittsburghPat Narduzzi
Pat Narduzzi into year 12 — a multi-decade era by modern CFB standards.
Era Pat Narduzzi · 2015–presentPrev: Paul Chryst (2014)OC: Kade BellPrev OC: Frank Cignetti (2022–2023)DC: Cory SandersPrev DC: Randy Bates (2018–2025)
12
years · era
Rituals
Three gameday rituals — the ones outsiders never quite catch.
Sweater Vest Era / Pat Narduzzi
since 2015
Pat Narduzzi's tenure (2015-present) reset Pitt football culture — defensive-line aggression, 2021 ACC title, sustained 7-8 win seasons. The sweater vest as recruiting fashion statement became the program's modern visual identity, replacing the pre-Narduzzi wilderness era.
Backyard Brawl (vs West Virginia)
since 1895
Pittsburgh-West Virginia: one of the longest in CFB (125+ years, 100+ meetings). Lost to conference realignment 2011-2021; resumed 2022. The 'Backyard Brawl' nickname captures the geographic proximity (60 miles) and cultural overlap. State pride stakes.
Roc the Panther
since 1909
Pitt's panther mascot dates to 1909 — one of the earliest official athletic mascots in college sports. Roc (the costumed version) appears at games; the original golden-stone panther statues sit on Acrisure Stadium's exterior.
Program memory
What this program never forgets
Most weeks vanish. These didn’t.
1937
Sutherland's title
Jock Sutherland's 9-0-1 team won the 1937 national title
The 1976 national title
Dorsett's Heisman season and Pitt's consensus national championship — the program's defining glory
2021 ACC Championship
An 11-win season and a conference title behind Kenny Pickett — proof the old power could still win one
Moment of the Year · Pittsburgh · 2025
Moment of the Year · Pittsburgh · 2025Lost 15-37 vs Notre Dame
Week 12 of 2025. The single game that defined the season's arc.
Bowl / Postseason Ledger
Bowl / Postseason LedgerRecent postseason (2014-2025): 2-7
Most recent: 2025 — loss 23-17 (away). Last 5 postseason: 2-3.
20252024202220212019
NFL Draft Pipeline
2022–2026
NFL Draft PipelineStrong
15 picks last 5 cycles. 2 first-round picks. Recruits with NFL ambitions notice.
15
picks · 2 R1
#19
Calijah Kancey
Defensive Tackle · 2023 · Tampa Bay · #41/387 final season
#20
Kenny Pickett
Quarterback · 2022 · Pittsburgh · #7/126 final season
#79
Matt Goncalves
Offensive Tackle · 2024 · Indianapolis
#24 all-time · 26 first-round picksthe talent factory →
Unit lineage
Pittsburgh’s offense and defense, by coordinator
FBS-relative efficiency percentile per season (2014–2025), same population as the Coordinator Mirror board. Dashed vertical lines mark a coordinator change.
Offense2014–2025
2014 · Joe Rudolph2015 · Jim Chaney2016 · Matt Canada2017–2018 · Shawn Watson2019–2021 · Mark Whipple2022–2023 · Frank Cignetti2024–2025 (ongoing) · Kade Bell
Defense2014–2025
2014 · Matt House2015–2017 · Josh Conklin2018–2025 · Randy Bates
Hired for 2026: Cory Sanders — not yet reflected in on-field data.
Elite (≥70th pct)AveragePoor (≤30th pct)
Chronicle Visuals
Among the most continuous rosters into 2025 — 75% back, anchored by the offense, only qb room to settle.
The portal upgraded the P room but opened a hole at RB.
1 player drafted in 2026; the reload runs through the portal and recruiting.
Pittsburgh converts recruit talent into draft picks better than its class rank suggests.
Featured in The Canon
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