You know, there is something weirdly addictive about being a Pitt fan. One minute you’re watching them drop a game they had no business losing, and the next, they’re ruining some top-five team’s entire season just for the fun of it.
Looking at the 2025 Pitt football schedule, it feels like we’re in for another one of those "expect the unexpected" rides. Pat Narduzzi has his work cut out for him, but honestly, the path to Charlotte for the ACC Championship isn’t as impossible as some people think.
The Non-Conference Gauntlet
Pitt starts the season with a little bit of local flavor. They open up at Acrisure Stadium against Duquesne on August 30. It’s basically a tune-up, but seeing as it’s the first time these two have met since 1939, it’s a cool bit of history for the city.
Then things get real.
On September 13, the Panthers head down to Morgantown for the 108th edition of the Backyard Brawl. If you’ve never been to this game, it’s basically three hours of pure, concentrated mutual dislike. West Virginia is never an easy out on their turf, and this game usually sets the emotional tone for the rest of Pitt's season.
Wait, I almost forgot. Between Duquesne and the Brawl, they host Central Michigan on September 6. It’s the kind of game Pitt sometimes sleepwalks through, which they absolutely cannot afford to do if they want to be taken seriously in the national conversation.
The biggest outlier in the non-con schedule? Notre Dame.
The Irish come to Pittsburgh on November 15. Because of the ACC’s scheduling agreement with Notre Dame, this counts as one of those "half-conference" games. It’s a late-season heavyweight fight that will almost certainly have New Year’s Six bowl implications.
2025 Pitt Football Schedule: ACC Rivalries and New Faces
The conference slate is where the real drama lives. This year, the ACC looks a little different with the inclusion of West Coast teams, but the core of Pitt's schedule remains focused on those brutal East Coast battles.
- Sept 27: Louisville (Home) - The ACC opener. Jeff Brohm has turned the Cardinals into a problem.
- Oct 4: Boston College (Home) - Bill O'Brien is back in college ball, and his Eagles are always scrappy.
- Oct 11: at Florida State (Away) - This is the scary one. Doak Campbell Stadium is a house of horrors for visitors.
- Oct 18: at Syracuse (Away) - A classic rivalry in the JMA Wireless Dome. It's loud, it's indoor, and it's always close.
- Oct 25: NC State (Home) - Dave Doeren’s teams are built like tanks. This will be a physical, ugly game.
- Nov 1: at Stanford (Away) - Pitt’s first major ACC "West Coast" trip. The jet lag factor is real.
The regular season wraps up with a massive home game against Miami on November 29. Depending on how the rest of the ACC shakes out, that game could very well be a "win and you’re in" scenario for the conference title game in Charlotte.
Why This Schedule is a Double-Edged Sword
Honestly, the middle of this schedule is a nightmare. Going from Tallahassee to Syracuse and then eventually out to California to play Stanford is a massive logistical headache.
But there’s a silver lining.
Pitt gets two bye weeks this year. One on September 20—right after the emotional drain of the Backyard Brawl—and another on November 8. That second bye is crucial. It gives Narduzzi an extra week to prep for the Notre Dame and Miami stretch.
If the Panthers can split the road games against FSU and Syracuse, they’re in a great spot. The home schedule is actually quite favorable. Getting Louisville, NC State, Notre Dame, and Miami at Acrisure is a gift.
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Key Matchups to Circle
The Backyard Brawl is the emotional peak, but the Florida State game is the talent barometer. If Pitt can keep it within a touchdown in Tallahassee, they can beat anyone in this conference.
Watch out for the Georgia Tech game on November 22. It’s sandwiched between Notre Dame and Miami. That is the ultimate "trap game" where a tired Pitt team could easily overlook a dangerous Yellow Jackets squad.
What to Watch For
The success of the 2025 season hinges on two things: quarterback consistency and the "Pat Press" defense. We’ve seen the defense look elite one week and porous the next. Against high-octane offenses like Miami and Louisville, there is zero room for error.
To prep for the season, fans should keep an eye on the transfer portal window following spring ball. Depth at linebacker and offensive tackle will be the deciding factor during that grueling three-game road stretch in October.
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If you're planning to attend, book those Morgantown and Tallahassee hotels now. Those cities fill up months in advance, and prices only go up once the TV networks announce the kickoff times.
Pitt has the talent to be a 9-win or 10-win team. The question is whether they can survive the travel and stay healthy through a November that looks like a gauntlet of top-25 opponents.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official Pitt Panthers website for season ticket renewals and single-game drops.
- Keep an eye on the ACC Network for the specific kickoff times, which are usually announced 12 days before each game.
- Monitor injury reports during the late-September bye week, as that will dictate the team's health for the crucial October road swing.