Pitt, SMU Battle for ACC Championship Spot

The upcoming clash between No. 18 Pittsburgh (7-0, 3-0 ACC) and No. 20 SMU (7-1, 4-0) on November 2, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title race, with both teams striving to maintain their unbeaten conference records. SMU, in its inaugural ACC season, aims to bounce back after a narrow win against Duke, while Pitt looks to solidify its playoff positioning following a decisive victory over Syracuse. Despite SMU's strong offensive presence, their passing defense has struggled, ranking 99th nationally, while Pitt's offense is ranked 6th with an impressive 40.9 points per game. The matchup is underscored by the historical significance as it is the first regular-season meeting since 1948, and both teams are vying for the top spot in a competitive league that could see an undefeated team potentially miss the championship game due to complex tiebreaker scenarios. The stakes are high, with fans urged to monitor rival teams' performances as the ACC landscape evolves. Coach Rhett Lashlee's Mustangs are determined to showcase resilience against a formidable Panthers defense, setting the stage for an electrifying encounter.