How was Pitt able to hit the national polls this week?
The Pitt football team surged into the national Top 25 polls today, earning a No. 19 ranking in the USA Today coaches poll and No. 20 ranking by The Associated Press. Pitt improved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big East Conference following a 24-17 victory at Rutgers on Friday. Prior to this weekend’s games, Pitt was out of both Top 25 listings, placing 26th in the AP poll and 28th in the coaches poll. Pitt is one of three Big East teams in the Top 25 this week, joining Cincinnati (No. 5 AP/No. 6 USA Today) and West Virginia (No. 22 in both polls). The Panthers last appeared in the Top 25 leading up to their 2008 Sun Bowl game with Oregon State, ranking No. 18 by the AP and No. 21 by the coaches at the conclusion of the ’08 regular season. Winners of 16 of its last 21 games, Pitt returns home this Saturday, Oct. 24, to host Big East foe South Florida (5-1, 1-1) at Heinz Field. Kickoff is set for noon. Sources:
