Pittsburgh Panthers 2023 Future Odds
New-look Panthers aim to match past success
The Pittsburgh Panthers will enter 2023 with at least 13 new starters. Their starting quarterback and running back are gone, along with their most impactful NCAAF player on defense. Replacing them will be a tall order, but head coach Pat Narduzzi has proven adept at adapting.
Will the new-look Panthers continue their success in 2023? Read on as we break down the Pittsburgh Panthers future odds in our team preview.
Pittsburgh Panthers At A Glance
| Odds to Win | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
| National Championship | +25000 | +25000 |
| Conference | +2300 | +2500 |
| Regular Season Win Total | 6.5 (o-125, u+105) | 7.0 (o-120, u-110) |
| To Make Playoffs (if applicable) | N/A | N/A |
Changes Abound for Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers continue to trend up with head coach Pat Narduzzi. The Panthers went 9-4 (5-3 in ACC play) last season and outlasted UCLA 37-35 in the Sun Bowl, securing their first bowl victory since 2019 and the second in their previous seven appearances. They finished the year ranked 22nd in the Associated Press poll.
The Panthers can be just as good, if not better, in 2023. However, they’ll have to navigate a challenging non-conference schedule and the loss of several key starters, including running back Israel Abanikanda and defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and an NFL first-round draft pick. They also are replacing quarterback Kedon Slovis, who transferred to BYU, with Phil Jurkovec.
It’s a lot to account for. That said, Jurkovec, in particular, offers promise. Jurkovec is experienced, having started 24 games over the last three seasons at Boston College. Limited because of injuries in 2022, he passed for 1,711 yards and 11 touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., Jurkovec’s offensive coordinator at Boston College, should help ease his transition.
National Championship Odds: Barring a Blast from the Past, No Shot
Is Tony Dorsett walking through that door? Dan Marino? Larry Fitzgerald? No? Well, then that settles it. The Panthers may be able to sneak back into the Top 25 and climb the college football rankings. Maybe they can even make a BCS bowl game. But there’s a ceiling to what they can accomplish. Their +25000 odds say as much.
Even if they win the ACC, they still aren’t guaranteed a spot in the College Football Playoff. Just look at 2021. They aren’t ready to make another jump under Narduzzi. Not this year, anyway.
Conference Odds: Something Else About the Team’s Conference Chances
Remember, Pittsburgh is the last school besides Clemson to win an ACC title. The Panthers did so in 2021, quarterback Kenny Pickett’s senior season. They have a long road to get back there, as evidenced by their +2500 Pittsburgh Panthers future odds.
Clemson (+150) and Florida State (+160) are currently the favorites. According to most NCAAF predictions, both are projected to be preseason Top 10 NCAAF teams. And then there’s North Carolina (+900), which returns a Heisman contender at quarterback in Drake Maye.
The Panthers aren’t currently on their level talent-wise. An ACC title seems like too tall an order.
Regular Season Wins: Non-Conference is Daunting, but Breaks Appear
The Panthers are projected for 7.0 wins. That’s a slight improvement from their opening total of 6.5, in which the Under was juiced to +105. The Panthers have hit that total each of the past two regular NCAAF seasons and matched it in 2019.
Their schedule is daunting, which could explain the lower number. After opening Sept. 2 against FCS program Wofford, the Panthers also get Cincinnati, West Virginia and Notre Dame in non-conference play, the latter two on the road.
There are potential pitfalls during ACC portion of their schedule too, but they at least get North Carolina (Sept. 23) and Florida State (Nov. 4) at home while missing Clemson. That’s a nice break that could ultimately help the Panthers exceed expectations again.
To Make Playoffs: Not a Thought Until Further Notice
Pittsburgh has never made the CFP. The program is clearly in good hands with Narduzzi, but there’s a whole of talent to replace.
Until we get a better idea of how it will all gel, it’s too early to weigh in on the Panthers’ NCAAF playoff possibilities. It turns out oddsmakers feel similarly. For now, there aren’t any Pittsburgh Panthers future odds available in this market.
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