Syracuse football's 2026 week-three opponent: Get to know the Pittsburgh Panthers

Just like every season, the Pittsburgh Panthers are on Syracuse’s football schedule in 2026. These teams have met every year without interruption since 1955, forming what some would call a rivalry. Typically, this matchup is scheduled during the second half of the season. However, for just the second time since 2008, the Orange and Panthers will meet in September. Not that they need much of an introduction, but let’s take a look at the 2026 Panthers.

Team head coach: Pat Narduzzi

Other than Dabo Swinney and Dave Doeren, Narduzzi is the longest-tenured coach in the ACC. Following a long stint as the defensive coordinator at Michigan State, he took over at Pitt in 2015. Narduzzi has had just two losing seasons with the Panthers, going 80-61 overall and leading them to the ACC championship in 2021. In 11 seasons under Narduzzi, Pitt has gone to eight bowl games, although the Panthers are just 2-6 in those bowl games. Nevertheless, Narduzzi has built a consistent, if unspectacular, program at Pitt.

Last meeting with Syracuse: Pitt 30, Syracuse 13 (2025)

Last year, an out-manned Syracuse team lost to the Panthers in the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange defense hung tough in the first half, but Syracuse gave up a punt return for a touchdown right before halftime. That was a back-breaker, giving Pitt a 17-7 lead, rather than going into the locker room only down 10-7. Of course, it didn’t matter much with the Syracuse offense having no answers. A fourth-quarter touchdown made it a 23-13 game, giving the Orange a glimmer of hope, but a tired defense gave up a late touchdown, allowing the Panthers to close out the game.

Series history

As mentioned, this rivalry has been played every year since 1955. Sadly, the Panthers have owned the rivalry during the 21st century, winning 20 of the last 24 games against Syracuse, taking over the all-time series lead in the process. The Panthers have been able to hold serve in this series, as the Orange hasn’t recorded a win in Pittsburgh since 2001.

Nevertheless, this rivalry has produced some memorable games. There was the high-scoring 76-61 contest in 2016. There was the triple-overtime heartbreaker in 2018. There was also the Dan Villari takeover game at Yankee Stadium in 2023, which is Syracuse's last win in the series. You never know what these two teams are going to produce when they meet.

Pittsburgh's 2025 season

Despite finishing with a somewhat modest 8-5 record, the Panthers were very much in contention for the ACC title in 2025. September losses to West Virginia and Louisville were a setback for Pitt. But the Panthers followed with five straight wins, including road wins over Florida State, Syracuse and Stanford. A 37-15 loss to Notre Dame was shrugged off as being unimportant to the team’s ACC championship hopes. The Panthers also followed that loss with a 42-28 road win over Georgia Tech, putting them in charge of their own fate heading into the final week of the season. Alas, the Panthers lost 38-7 to Miami at home, keeping them out of the ACC Championship Game. Pitt’s bowl struggles under Narduzzi continued with a 23-17 loss to East Carolina in the Military Bowl, giving the Panthers three losses in their last four games to close out the 2025 campaign.

Pittsburgh's key returning players

Pitt welcomes back Mason Heintschel as the team’s starting quarterback. As a true freshman, he took over the starting job for Eli Holstein last October, becoming the catalyst for Pitt’s five-game winning streak. There were some growing pains for Heintschel, including the game against Syracuse in which he finished with just 140 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception, while taking seven sacks. But with the experience he gained last season, Heintschel could take a big step forward this year.

Pitt’s leading rusher in 2025, Ja’Kyrian Turner, is also back in the fold. Of course, he had to share the workload, finishing with 745 yards. The good news for Turner and the Panthers is that they return three starters along the offensive line, including standout right tackle Ryan Baer, who should be among the best in the ACC at his position. Cataurus Hicks, who was the team’s third-leading receiver in 2025, also returns to lead that unit.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers could have one of the best defensive lines in the ACC. Tackles Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James are back, as is defensive end Jimmy Scott. All three are seniors with All-ACC potential, with Scott tying for the team lead with 4.5 sacks last year. Pitt also has one of the ACC’s top linebackers in Braylan Lovelace, although he won’t have the benefit of playing alongside Rasheem Biles and Kyle Louis this year. On the back end, junior safety Cruce Brookins returns to lead a secondary that doesn’t have as much experience as the front seven.

Pittsburgh's notable additions

From the transfer portal, the Panthers are adding Western Carolina wide receiver Malik Knight. He had some big games at the FCS level last year, and Pitt hopes he can step in as a starter right away. Meanwhile, Oklahoma transfer Carson Kent and UAB transfer Elijah Lagg will be Pitt’s primary tight ends in 2026.

Defensively, Naduzzi mostly used the transfer portal to add depth. However, Purdue transfer Alex Sanford and Memphis transfer DeMarco Ward will be asked to play meaningful snaps at linebacker to help replace Biles and Louis. In the secondary, Auburn transfer Raion Strader, a Pitt native, and Slippery Rock transfer Kanye Thompson will be asked to help fill holes at cornerback.

Pittsburgh's 2026 season outlook

The Panthers don’t rate among the ACC’s elite teams heading into 2026, although they could become a dark horse to reach the conference title game. With an experienced offensive line and a quarterback whose star is rising, the Pitt offense has high upside if the Panthers can find consistent receiving targets. Meanwhile, the Pitt front-seven looks as strong as any in the conference. It’s just a matter of finding answers in the secondary. If things break well, Pitt has some upside in 2026.

Pitt’s schedule points to the Panthers getting off to a fast start. If they can survive a Friday night road game against Virginia Tech, starting the season 7-0 isn’t that far-fetched. However, the back half of the schedule will be challenging. The Panthers have to face Miami, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Louisville late in the season and then travel to Cal for their regular-season finale. That’s where the rubber will meet the road for Naduzzi and company.

When and where Pitt plays Syracuse in 2026

Syracuse travels to Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 17. The game starts at 7:30 pm EST and will be broadcast on ESPN. This is the second time in three years that the Orange and Panthers are playing on a Thursday night.

Prediction: Pitt 34, Syracuse 24

Trips to Pittsburgh typically don’t end well for the Orange. Even the 10-win Syracuse team in 2024 got beaten to a pulp, with Kyle McCord having a nightmare game we’d all prefer to forget. Playing on the road during a short week isn’t going to do Fran Brown’s team any favors either. The Orange isn’t likely to win this game, but being competitive and staying within 10 points would be a nice moral victory early in the season.

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