Overview
- Pitt (6-2, 4-1 ACC) visits Stanford (3-5, 2-3) today at 12:30 p.m. on the ACC Network at Stanford Stadium.
- The Panthers are 4-0 since true freshman Mason Heintschel became the starter, including 423 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 53-34 win over NC State, and they lead the ACC at 40.3 points per game.
- Stanford is 3-0 at home and far more productive on The Farm (391 yards and 26.7 points per game) as it pursues its first bowl berth since 2018.
- Cardinal quarterback Ben Gulbranson was not on Thursday's availability report and is expected to be available; Pitt lists OL Jeff Persi and DL Blaine Spires as out, with LB Rasheem Biles, WR Kenny Johnson and RB Desmond Reid questionable, while Stanford lists RB Micah Ford, S Jay Green and CB Collin Wright as questionable.
- Pitt’s defense excels at disruption with a top-five national rate in tackles for loss and the ACC’s best defensive three-and-out rate (30.9%), while Stanford brings a top-50 rush defense and strong red-zone touchdown defense (46.3%).