The Pittsburgh Panthers are your 2021 ACC Champions.  This is their first ACC Championship in school history. Their road to finally becoming champs was an interesting one.  Let’s take a look at how they did it:

Game 1: Umass 51-7 Win

Nothing to say here: They blew them out.

Game 2: Tennessee 41-34 Win

QB Kenny Pickett had 285 yards, and the offense looked really good.  The defense was in question after this game.  Still, a good win against a good SEC opponent.  

Game 3: Western Michigan 44-41 loss

This game was a reality check for Pitt.  RPO’s killed the defense all game, something they struggled to guard all season.  The offense put up a lot of points, but the defense couldn’t stop Western Michigan’s offense.  Worse game of the year.  

Game 4: New Hampshire 77-7 win

Nothing to say here again Pitt blew them out

Game 5: Georgia Tech 52-21 win

A complete team win.  Georgia Tech is an ACC opponent, but they weren’t very good this year.  QB Kenny Pickett also had 400 yards passing, and WR Taysir Mack had 100 yards receiving.  

Game 6: Virginia Tech 28-7 win

Pitt jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, and really never looked back against a solid Tech defense.  Pitt’s defense also stood strong this game, playing one of their best games of the year.  

Game 7: Clemson 27-17 win

This was one of Pitt’s best games of the year.  Locked in after a close first half, linebacker Sirvocier Dennis picked off a shovel pass and scored a touchdown.  That gave Pitt the lead and they never looked back.  Coming into this game, Clemson had the number 2 defense in the nation.  Not a lot of points scored, but a strong offensive performance for Pitt.  

Game 8: Miami 38-34 loss

This was a terrible game.  Miami jumped out to an early lead, and never looked back.  Pitt’s late comeback failed.  Miami’s RPO game killed Pitt’s defense again.  Pickett threw for 500 yards, and was maybe the online brightside of this game.  Although, he did have 2 interceptions.  This was the game they wanted back the most.  Being at this game, it was such a letdown.  

Game 9: Duke 54-29 win

A solid bounce-back game, Pitt’s offense really carried them to this victory.  Another solid win vs an ACC opponent

Game 10: North Carolina 30-23 win (in overtime)

This was a nerve-wracking game.  Being at this game, Pitt seemed to have control early, and North Carolina came flying back into it.  The game ended up going to overtime and Pitt had a huge advantage.  The rain started coming down after Pitt scored the first drive in overtime. North Carolina got sacked twice, and the game was pretty much over.  Another solid win vs an ACC team

Game 11: Virginia: 48-38 win

Pitt’s defense seemed really flat and bad in the 1st half.  Still, the offense provided a huge boost.  Another nerve-wracking game, but one Pitt had to win.  Virginia was trailing Pitt in the Coastal division by one game.  The offense proved huge, and a Jordan Addison touchdown from Pickett put the icing on the cake at the end of the game.  

Game 12: Syracuse 31-14 win

The defense was really good to end the game.  Syracuse scored 14 points in the 1st half and none after that.  Pitt also had a nice kickoff return touchdown.  

Game 13: Wake Forest (ACC Championship) 45-21 win

This was a game to remember.  Being at the game, Both offenses came out firing.  Both teams scored on their first two drives.  Wake had a 21-14 lead after the first quarter.  After that, they never scored again.  Their offense never looked the same.  Pitt scored 31 unanswered points.  Jordan Addison had a great game.  Pitt also ran the ball really well this game.  

Pitt will now take on Michigan State in the Peach Bowl.  All things considered, this is one of Pitt’s best seasons in recent memory.  QB Kenny Pickett is heading to New York as a Heisman candidate.  The Panthers also won the ACC for the 1st time in the school’s history.  As a fan, it was great to see the Panthers throughout the season, and hope they build on this season for years to come.  

Thanks for reading Canes! Go Pitt!!