Pittsburgh Panthers primed to surprise ACC with Pat Narduzzi

By David Albiani | Mar 16, 2015

The Pittsburgh Panthers made a spectacular hire in bringing in Pat Narduzzi as the head coach and are ready to make a run for the ACC Coastal Division.

Coming into 2015 the ACC really features a number of teams that could contend for their divisional crown and the right to go to the ACC championship game. There are favorites in Georgia Tech, Florida State, Clemson that many people will pick to win the ACC, but the Pittsburgh Panthers can be a dark horse to take their division.

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The Panthers have a new coach in former Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, who brings a defensive mindset to a unit that finished 34th in total defense and 58th in scoring defense last season. Narduzzi will have a huge impact on the Panthers defensively, turning the Panthers into a top-five ACC defense, which will be enough considering their offense.

It’s the offense where the Panthers will be able to bully people though initially. The Panthers have the best back in the country in reigning ACC Player of the Year James Conner, who should be able to compete for the Heisman as long as Pittsburgh doesn’t lose too many games.

Aug 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) rushes against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens during the first quarter at Heinz Field. PITT won 62-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Conner ran for 1,765 yards and had 26 rushing touchdowns. The 250-pound Conner is built like a defensive end and could challenge for a 2,000-yard season with Narduzzi embracing a “ground and pound” philosophy.

In addition to Conner, the Panthers return quarterback Chad Voytik who passed for over 2,223 yards and 16 touchdowns and running for another 466 yards on the ground. Voytik is not extremely mobile, but can run if he forced to do so.

Voytik figures to improve and if he can continue to limit turnovers and improve his throws off of play action, which is important with Conner, he should be able to compete for an All-ACC third team selection potentially.

He doesn’t have great physical skills, but the threat of James Conner and other teams most likely loading up the boxes on them will give Voytik plenty of one on one matchups and windows to throw into.

Another weapon on offense for the Panthers is wide receiver 6-2, 190-pound rising junior Tyler Boyd who should get lots of open looks off of the play action passes, especially deep if Narduzzi likes the matchups and is a player who will play in the NFL for a long time.

On defense the Panthers return third leading tackler in linebacker Matt Galambos, who had a decent year as a sophomore finishing with 72 tackles and seems primed to lead the defense in 2015.

Furthering the foundation on defense for Narduzzi is the return of freshman pass rusher Rori Blair, who finished with five sacks in 2015. Blair has big upside for the Panthers and potential to break double-digits sacks in 2015.

Oct 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) runs after a catch on a fifty-three yard touchdown reception against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As far as recruits go the Panthers snagged one of the best corners to join the ACC in Jordan Whitehead. He is a top 300 ESPN recruit and is just under six feet tall, but has big time potential and could contend for a starting job right away. Whitehead has a quiet confidence in himself and I think he will be a shutdown corner sooner than later.

The defense doesn’t seem to have many play makers, but that is the strength of Narduzzi. He will put the players in positions to maximize their talents and most of the returning players should see a big boost in statistics and overall team defense. I expect Pittsburgh to be a top-five defense in the ACC.

In addition to the defense I think the offense should be explosive running the ball, controlling the tempo and limiting turnovers and chances for other offenses. They may not be a high scoring offense, but I believe they can score a lot with Conner a Heisman Trophy candidate and capable of running for 200 yards and three touchdowns in any game.

Overall, I believe this team could really make some noise if they are able to steal the road game against Georgia Tech, and have fewer than three losses.

Only time will tell if they are able to make it all happen in Year 1 under Narduzzi, but the talent and coaching are there to make an unexpected run at the ACC Championship Game and the future is bright for the Panthers in the years to come with him at the helm.

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