Oct 19, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) throws a pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Starting QBs questionable for No. 18 Pitt-No. 20 SMU showdown

The status of both starting quarterbacks is the top storyline heading into Saturday’s Top 25 matchup between No. 18 Pitt and No. 20 SMU in Dallas.

Coach Pat Narduzzi said the Panthers (7-0, 3-0 ACC) are taking a “wait-and-see” approach when it comes to Eli Holstein. Similarly, SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said Kevin Jennings is questionable for the Mustangs (7-1, 4-0).

Holstein sustained an undisclosed injury in the fourth quarter of Pitt’s 41-13 victory over Syracuse last week.

Narduzzi reiterated that he does not discuss injuries publicly during his news conference.

If Holstein is unavailable, Pitt’s backup is Nate Yarnell. Yarnell has seen action in three games this season, going 17-of-26 passing for 171 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Holstein, meanwhile, has thrown for 1,808 yards with 17 TDs and five interceptions in seven games.

Whoever is at quarterback will face a challenge against SMU’s defense, which ranks tied for 33rd in the country in total defense (327 yards per game) and tied for seventh in interceptions (12).

“Defensively, they’re four-down, change it up coverage-wise a little bit, but to me they’re very similar to us defensively in my opinion because I think they’re simple,” Narduzzi said. “I don’t think they do a lot. I think what they do is sound and they just play hard and play fast. That’s why they’ve had so much success.”

For SMU, if Jennings is not cleared, backup Preston Stone would get the nod. Jennings was injured Saturday but did not miss a drive during SMU’s 28-27 overtime win over Duke.

“Our guy’s availability is up in the air,” Lashlee said. “We got a bunch of guys beat up and most of them practiced today, not all of them, but even Kevin, not 100 percent sure he’s cleared yet.”

But signs seemingly point toward Jennings being available as he met with the media this week. Jennings has thrown for 1,594 yards with 10 TDs and five interceptions this season.

“I feel great, just trying to get my body back right,” Jennings told reporters. “As of right now, feel really good. Just stay in the treatment room and get myself back up. It was a really tough hit. I was down for a little bit, but thank God I was able to bounce back and come back in the game.”

SMU receiver Jake Bailey, who is considered day-to-day, has caught 19 passes for 275 yards with one TD this season.

Outside of the injury concerns, this is a must-see ACC matchup pitting teams who were not favored to contend for a conference championship.

SMU was picked seventh while Pitt was picked 13th in the ACC preseason rankings.

This will be Pitt’s first trip to SMU, which has won the last three matchups, including a 28-6 victory in the Compass Bowl on Jan. 7, 2012 in their most recent meeting. The teams have met six times, four at Pitt and twice in a bowl game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) drops back to pass during the third quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

No. 17 Kansas State not underestimating Big 12 foe Houston

No. 17 Kansas State will try to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive when the Wildcats travel to Houston Saturday afternoon for the second-ever matchup between the schools.

The Wildcats have won four straight games since losing their Big 12 opener at BYU. Kansas State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) now turns its attention to Houston, who is in the bottom half of the Big 12 standings. But head coach Chris Klieman isn’t looking at the record.

“It’s another road trip, our third in the last four weeks,” Klieman said. “(Houston has) won two of their last three. I thought they played really well against Utah.

“I have tons of respect for Coach (Willie) Fritz because of what he’s accomplished every place he’s been. I know he’s going to get it done at Houston.”

The Wildcats are performing well all around and rank in the top half of the conference in scoring, scoring defense, total offense and total defense. They’re balanced on offense, with 223.3 yards per game on the ground (second in the Big 12) and 211.3 yards per game through the air.

Where the Cats look to have the biggest advantage against Houston is in run defense. The Cougars (3-5, 2-3 Big 12) are 12th in the conference in rushing yards per game (147.9 yards per game). The Wildcats’ defense is allowing a Big 12-low 96.8 yards on the ground per game, nearly 20 yards fewer than the next-best defense in the conference.

The Wildcats are coming off a narrow escape against in-state rival Kansas. Avery Johnson threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, and Chris Tennant tied a career long with his 51-yard field goal inside the final two minutes of the game to help the Wildcats avoid the upset, 29-27.

“Looking back, obviously a really good team win Saturday night,” Klieman said Monday. “We went through a lot of adversity and stayed the course and stayed in the fight. We found a way to get a couple of stops in the fourth quarter on defense. We did enough to get Chris in field goal range.

“The margin for error in college football is really small, it’s razor-thin. That’s why I’m so proud of the guys for staying in the fight. I’m happy we were able to get that done.”

The Cougars also used a late field goal to down Utah at home. Jack Martin nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Cougars past Utah, 17-14. That was a turnaround after getting blitzed 42-14 by Kansas.

Now Fritz knows his team will face another challenge with the Wildcats.

“It was a big win (against Utah),” he said. “I believe they were picked to finish first in the conference. We did some good things, but we’re always looking for room for improvement.

“Every game is going to be tough. This is a very balanced and competitive league. Everybody in the Big 12 is pretty darned good. This is another tough opponent for us to play. It’s going to be tough to beat them. We’ve got to be plus in turnover (ratio). They’ve got two outstanding running backs and an outstanding quarterback who can run the ball. So we’ve got to do a good job in the run game.”

The Wildcats beat the Cougars 41-0 in Manhattan, Kan., last season in their inaugural meeting.

–Field Level Media

Illinois coach Bret Bielema has words with an official during the first half at Autzen Stadium.

No. 24 Illinois’ Bret Bielema out to remain perfect vs. Minnesota

Illinois coach Bret Bielema will strive to maintain his stranglehold over Minnesota when the No. 24 Fighting Illini host the Golden Gophers on Saturday in Champaign, Ill.

Bielema is 10-0 in his coaching career against Minnesota, including a 3-0 mark since he took over at Illinois in December 2020. He went 7-0 against Minnesota as Wisconsin’s coach, while he never faced the Golden Gophers during his coaching stint at Arkansas.

“I have a lot of respect for Coach Bielema and what he does,” Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said. “He always has a hard, smash-mouth, tough football team no matter where he’s been — Wisconsin, Arkansas, Illinois. It’s his DNA.”

Illinois (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) is looking to bounce back from a lopsided loss at No. 1 Oregon a week ago. The Fighting Illini fell behind 35-3 by halftime and lost 38-9.

Now, Illinois returns to its home field, where it is 5-0 this season.

“We’re a program that’s on the rise,” Bielema said. “It’s a program that’s building, and we’re going to get better at every opportunity. … I promise you that we’ll get better this week.”

Bielema challenged the Fighting Illini’s fans to make it tough on Minnesota.

“I hope you’ll be there and be loud,” he said. “You’ve got an 11 a.m. (local time) kickoff. You’ve got to get that first beverage, whether it’s a coffee, a mimosa, a bloody, a Red Bull — whatever you got going, man — just get up and get it going and get here and get seated by about 10:30 and get ready to be a part of a really good Big Ten football environment.”

Minnesota (5-3, 3-2) would love to spoil the mood among the Illini faithful. The Golden Gophers are going for their fourth straight win after knocking off then-No. 11 Southern California, UCLA and Maryland over the past three contests.

One more win would make Minnesota bowl-eligible.

Fleck wanted no part of that hypothetical as he prepared for Illinois.

“We’ve got to play our best football against a ranked opponent on the road,” he said. “We’ve got to D.I.B. — do it better.”

Quarterback Max Brosmer leads Minnesota with 1,776 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions this season. His top target in the passing game is Daniel Jackson, who has 51 catches for 568 yards and three touchdowns.

Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor also will look to build upon his impressive season. He has 513 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in seven games.

Illinois’ offense is led by quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has passed for 1,667 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. Top wideout Pat Bryant has 34 catches for 510 yards and seven touchdowns, but his status is uncertain this week because of a concussion. Bielema said Monday that Bryant is expected to clear concussion protocol and play Saturday.

With running back Kaden Feagin out for the rest of the season with a hip injury, the next top rushers are Aidan Laughery (268 rushing yards) and Josh McCray (258 rushing yards, three TDs).

Minnesota leads the all-time series 40-33-3, although Illinois has won the past three.

–Field Level Media

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) looks for a pass in the second quarter of the Longhorns' game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Oct. 19, 2024.

No. 2 Georgia aims to stay on a roll in clash with Florida

It appears No. 2 Georgia has found its footing ahead of Saturday afternoon’s rivalry game against Florida.

Following their Sept. 28 loss at then-No. 4 Alabama, the Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) have won three in row, including a 30-15 road win over then-No. 1 Texas on Oct. 19 in Georgia’s most recent game.

Now looking to bolster their chances of returning to the SEC Championship Game for the fourth consecutive year, Georgia will head to Jacksonville, Fla., where it will take on the Gators for the 103rd time.

Coming off a bye week, the Bulldogs had a chance to take a deep breath in the middle of their conference slate.

“I think we got a chance to look at ourselves,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “I think we got a lot of work for our younger players. We did a lot of targeted drill work, targeted things that we needed to work on specifically, offensively and defensively, situational football, that we really hadn’t gotten to do in the past couple weeks because it’s been so fast.”

Georgia still hasn’t seen the version of quarterback Carson Beck that was expected.

Although the senior has two of the program’s top-five all-time single-game passing records this year — 459 against Mississippi State and 439 against Alabama — Beck’s eight interceptions already have surpassed last year’s total of six.

Despite the up-and-down season, Smart’s faith in his quarterback hasn’t wavered.

“I don’t think anything’s wrong with him,” Smart said. “He hasn’t played perfect, but nobody does. I’m very comfortable with where Carson is in terms of his leadership, his practice habits, the things we’re asking him to do. I think he’s doing a good job of those.”

Smart maintains the Georgia-Florida rivalry is just as important as any other matchup.

“They’re all dead-even,” he said of where the rivalry ranks. “They’re all at the very top.”

After losing two of three to start the season, Florida (4-3, 2-2) has shown signs of improvement the past month. Sitting at 1-2 after a Sept. 14 setback to Texas A&M, coach Billy Napier’s seat was never hotter.

Since then, the Gators have won three of four, most recently drubbing Kentucky 48-20 on Oct. 19.

After splitting time with Graham Mertz for most of the season, freshman quarterback DJ Lagway has taken over the reins of the Florida offense following Mertz’s season-ending ACL tear against Tennessee on Oct. 12.

Lagway made his first career start in the win over Kentucky, completing 7 of 14 passes for 259 yards, while adding 46 yards on the ground.

“It’s all about reps (for DJ),” Napier said. “It’s experience. It’s not only experience in the game, but experience in practice. We did quite a bit of situational work last week, and then we had a pretty exhaustive remedial session on all the situational football, verbiage, all these things that come up.”

Lagway has passed for 1,024 yards and five touchdowns this season, with five interceptions.

The Georgia-Florida rivalry has been one-sided for the better part of a decade. Georgia has won six of its past seven games against the Gators, last losing in 2020.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA;  Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) cuts through the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors defense for a touchdown during the first quarter at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

No. 15 Boise State, ‘warrior’ Ashton Jeanty meet San Diego State

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will try to continue his push for the Heisman Trophy when the No. 15 Broncos host San Diego State in a Mountain West game on Friday evening.

Jeanty has rushed for a nation-leading 1,376 yards and is second in the country with 18 touchdowns while averaging 196.6 rushing yards across seven games for the Broncos (6-1, 3-0 Mountain West).

He’s more than halfway to the NCAA rushing record for a season (2,628), set by Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State in 1988. Boise State has five more games on its regular-season schedule, but could play as many as nine more if the Broncos qualify for the 12-team College Football Playoff.

“I did have high hopes for myself,” Jeanty said. “I had it in my mind that this was going to be a legendary season, but I didn’t know exactly how that was going to unravel.”

Jeanty most recently rushed for 128 yards on 33 carries in a 29-24 win at UNLV last Friday.

He lit up the Aztecs for 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 34-31 victory last season. That remained his best game until he ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-30 loss to Colorado State three weeks later.

Jeanty has since topped the 200-yard mark three more times this season.

“He’s just an absolute warrior,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said.

The Broncos have won five in a row overall and remain tied for first with Colorado State atop the conference standings. Boise State and Colorado State do not play this season.

In order to qualify for the CFP, the Broncos would need to finish as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions in the FBS.

With its latest win against UNLV, Boise State moved from No. 17 to No. 15, leapfrogging LSU and Kansas State.

“That UNLV team is legit,” said Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen, who threw for 209 yards and a touchdown. “That defense played hard and fast until the end. We talked all week about how it was going to be a heavyweight fight. Their only loss was to Syracuse in overtime. That game was going to be tough.”

The win in Las Vegas also made the Broncos bowl-eligible for the 27th straight year, the second-longest active streak in the nation behind Georgia (28).

The Aztecs (3-4, 2-0) are coming off a 29-26 loss to visiting Washington State on Saturday night, a team that the Broncos beat 45-24 on Sept. 28.

San Diego State took a 26-14 lead with 13:39 left in the fourth quarter but gave up the final 15 points.

“We can’t get lax with that lead,” San Diego State linebacker Tano Letuli said. “We need to play a full four quarters. Every play, every down, we can’t get lax and be complacent.”

San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil missed two drives against Washington State after sustaining an ankle injury. Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson filled in for O’Neil before he returned and led the Aztecs on a touchdown drive that pulled them within 14-12 late in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (right) congratulates quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on his touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Steelers march into Monday matchup with misfiring Giants

A change at starting quarterback didn’t slow down the Pittsburgh Steelers, who delivered their highest-point total in almost three years last week in Russell Wilson’s team debut.

Now, Pittsburgh welcomes a New York team in prime time for the second straight week when the Giants visit on Monday night.

The Steelers (5-2) started Wilson for the first time this season last Sunday night. The former Super Bowl champion guided Pittsburgh to a 37-15 win over the New York Jets. The Steelers scored the final 31 points of the game as Wilson, who missed the start of the season with a calf injury, threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-29 passing and added a rushing score.

Wilson took over for Justin Fields, who played reasonably well in starting the first six games of the season. Head coach Mike Tomlin was as coy as ever this week as he said he’s “refusing to acknowledge” any changes to Fields’ role.

But pressed on whether Wilson would start against the Giants, Tomlin said, “He’s scheduled to take first-team reps (Wednesday) and we’ll see where the week leads us.”

Najee Harris gained 100-plus rushing yards and a touchdown in back-to-back weeks for the Steelers.

“What I keep telling (Harris) every single game is just keep bringing your stuff, bringing your stuff,” said Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, who knows what it’s like to take on Harris from his previous four seasons with the Ravens. “Nobody wants to tackle you … Nobody wants to deal with that for four quarters, at least, I know that.”

The Giants (2-5) have scored a total of 10 points during their current two-game skid, but no major changes are coming to the offense. The same can be said for the team’s leadership in the long term, too.

Giants co-owner John Mara said this week that he has no plans to dismiss coach Brian Daboll or general manager Joe Schoen this season or in the offseason.

Still, things look dire after the Giants followed a 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals with a 28-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, both coming at home. Quarterback Daniel Jones threw for a season-low 99 yards and was sacked by the Eagles seven times before Drew Lock replaced him to finish the game.

Daboll insisted the following day that Jones remains the starter in New York. Jones didn’t like being pulled, but met with Daboll on their usual schedule to go over the game and targeted improvements.

“I think there’s some things you take from it that you’re trying to learn from. But does it change or is it completely different because he pulled me from the game? No it’s not,” Jones said. “We all got to play better, I got to play better and that’s what I’m focusing on.”

Jones said he’s focused on what’s ahead and moving past last week. When asked if Daboll gave him assurances of his role, Jones said the head coach told the team that was the case last week.

“I think after the game, he said to the team that I was the starter going forward. So, I’m going through the week preparing to play and play well. But in terms of his plans … it’s a better question for him,” Jones said.

The Giants fell despite rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers playing for the first time in three weeks due to a concussion. The blossoming star had four catches for 41 yards and has 39 receptions for 427 yards and three touchdowns in just five games this season. Teammate Wan’Dale Robinson ranks fifth in the league in receptions (43) for just 303 yards and two scores.

The Steelers, who rank second in the NFL in scoring defense at 14.4 points per game, will be wary of sixth overall draft pick Nabers in particular.

“He attacks the ball when it’s in the air, he makes those competitive plays,” Tomlin said. “… Those guys who get a chance to hug Roger Goodell (on stage at the NFL draft), they have some real tangible things and intangible things.”

The Giants boast the league’s sack leader in Dexter Lawrence II, who has nine sacks for 65 yards. T.J. Watt has a team-high 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles for the Steelers and could feast on a New York O-line that’s allowed 22 sacks, third-most in the league.

“I’d say he’s unbelievable,” Daboll said. “… You watch his tape and all the turnovers that he has and the style that he plays with. I mean, he’s one of the best players in the league.”

Lawrence did not practice Thursday as he continues to manage a hip injury. Also sitting out for New York were linebacker Ty Summers (ankle), punter Jamie Gillan (left hamstring) and cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson (neck), Cor’Dale Flott (groin) and Tre Hawkins III (ankle). Linebacker Brian Burns (groin, Achilles) was limited along with special teamer Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles).

For the Steelers, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (vet rest), center Zach Frazier (ankle), linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring), defensive back DeShon Elliott (back) and receiver Roman Wilson (hamstring) sat out Thursday. Running back/return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (calf) and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (hamstring) were limited.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos (1) hands off to running back Kye Robichaux (5) against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Boston College, Louisville try to brush off recent losses

Boston College will host Louisville in a matchup of Atlantic Coast Conference teams hoping to return to the winning track on Friday in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

The Eagles (4-3, 1-2 ACC) have had peaks and valleys throughout their back-to-back losses at Virginia and Virginia Tech, including turning the ball over three times in each. In last Thursday’s game, which followed a bye week, Bill O’Brien’s team trailed 28-0 before a second-half comeback by the Thomas Castellanos-led offense fell short.

“These are tough games, right? All of them are tough,” O’Brien said. “We have to limit our mistakes. … If we can limit our turnovers, penalties, stop the run better, obviously we’ll be in these games. If we don’t, we won’t.”

The Boston College defense allowed 532 total yards last week, but this season has intercepted nine passes — one more than its total from all of last season. Cameron Martinez added to that latter total last week while posting a fumble recovery and seven tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss.

However, the status of a defensive anchor in linebacker Kam Arnold (40 total tackles) is uncertain after he was spotted in a sling at practice earlier this week.

“I think that sling is kind of a precaution,” O’Brien said. “I’ll probably know more in a few days, but that’s probably a day-to-day deal.”

Louisville (4-3, 2-2) opens a three-game road swing after falling in a 52-45 Saturday shootout against Miami. The home loss came despite the Cardinals accounting for 400-plus yards of total offense for the fifth time this season.

“If you’re not prepared for the ups and downs going into (the season), it’s going to catch you off guard and you’re not going to be able to adjust,” Louisville coach Jeff Brohm said. “So, we talk about simple things: it’s got to be a one-game season … no matter whether we win or lose.”

Quarterback Tyler Shough was 31 of 51 for 342 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions against the Hurricanes. Ja’Corey Brooks had two scores in his third 100-yard receiving game.

The Cardinals also saw Caullin Lacy return a 100-yard kickoff for a touchdown, and they sacked Miami’s Cam Ward three times, but the flip side was allowing a season-high 538 yards.

“I just think all of us need to continue to work through some things that have not gone well, address it, work hard at improving on it because every little thing matters and we just in some of the losses we haven’t been good enough overall to get it done,” Brohm said.

–Field Level Media

Michigan State's Aidan Chiles, center, runs for a big gain as Iowa's Brendan Sullivan, right, attempts a tackle during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Rivals Michigan State, Michigan on opposite paths entering annual clash

In recent years, the football programs of Michigan State and Michigan have trended in opposite directions, culminating last season when Michigan State won four games and Michigan captured the national championship.

The teams again are headed in opposite directions going into this year’s annual showdown Saturday night in Ann Arbor, but this time Michigan State is trending up while Michigan has regressed.

The Spartans (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) are coming off their best performance of the season, a convincing 32-20 win over Iowa in a game that saw Michigan State rush for more than 200 yards and not punt once against the normally stout Hawkeyes’ defense.

Michigan State also appears to have a quarterback to build around in Aidan Chiles, who has been erratic this year but played well against Iowa, passing for 256 yards and turning the ball over just once.

On the other side, Michigan (4-3, 2-2) scored only one touchdown in a 21-7 loss to then-No. 22 Illinois last week — the Wolverines’ second straight defeat — and hasn’t been able to find an answer at quarterback.

The Wolverines have had three starters this year — Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle — but none have starred, although Tuttle completed 20 of 32 passes for 208 yards against the Illini.

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said Monday the team would have a wait-and-see approach in terms of naming a starter for the Michigan State game.

“You have different things that guys are better at, and that you’ll feature for individual people, but we definitely have a process for what we’ll go through and how we’ll go through installing them,” Moore said.

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith — who, like Moore, will coach in the rivalry game for the first time — said preparation will be especially important this week given Michigan’s uncertainty at quarterback.

“You prepare what you see on tape, and we’ve got tape of all of their players that have played offensively,” Smith said.

Michigan has lopsided wins against Michigan State in the last two years. The Wolverines lead the all-time series 73-38-5.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Eli Holstein (10) passes against the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

No. 19 Pitt prepares for Syracuse tilt as schedule gets tougher

No. 19 Pitt is off to its best start in more than 40 years, but Syracuse should present a formidable challenge when the teams match up Thursday night on the Panthers’ home field.

The Panthers (6-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have not been 7-0 since 1982, but they can continue their splendid season with a win over the Orange (5-1, 2-1). Syracuse, which landed two spots out of the Top 25 this week, likely will join the rankings with a win over Pitt, adding an element of intrigue to Thursday’s affair.

Both teams are coming off a bye week, as each squad is taking the field for the first time since Oct. 12.

That day, Pitt survived a 17-15 nailbiter against Cal as Desmond Reid ran for two touchdowns in the first half and the Panthers’ defense stepped up with six sacks. However, Pitt managed just 277 yards of total offense — nearly 250 below its season average entering the day — and did not score a point in the second half.

Coach Pat Narduzzi was glad to escape with the win, but he said Monday that he knows his team must continue to improve.

“I’m not surprised (that we’re undefeated),” Narduzzi said. “I’m never surprised at anything in this world, but we need to respond.”

With a tough stretch of games coming up — including ranked foes SMU and Clemson in November — the Panthers cannot afford to go through a tough stretch. Beginning this week, they’ll likely need to be at their best to defeat the talented Orange.

“It’s great we’re undefeated,” defensive tackle Sean FitzSimmons said, “but we’re focused on the week that we’re going to. We’ve got Syracuse and we’ve got to go 1-0 vs. them.”

That won’t be easy, given the play of Orange quarterback Kyle McCord. The Ohio State transfer ranks in the top 10 nationally in passing yards (2,160) and passing touchdowns (19). He threw for 346 yards and two scores in a 24-17 triumph over North Carolina State in Syracuse’s most recent game.

The Orange need one more victory to match their win total from 2023. In either case, their first season under coach Fran Brown has already been a major step in the right direction.

“He’s transformed that football team,” Narduzzi said. “I think they’re elite.”

Brown was also quite complimentary about Narduzzi’s squad this week. In particular, Reid — who has been dynamic in the rushing game and the passing game — has caught Brown’s eye.

“I think he’s a complete running back,” Brown said, “so that’s why he’s having success. … I like what I see on film from him. He’s a really good football player.”

Eli Holstein has passed for 1,697 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Panthers, while six different players have between 16 and 26 receptions for Pitt. Konata Mumpfield leads the team in catches (26) and receiving yards (463).

“We’ve got a lot coming,” Brown said. “We’ve got a lot to handle.”

Syracuse snapped a five-game losing streak in the series with a 28-13 victory at Yankee Stadium last season. The Orange compiled 392 rushing yards, while the Panthers committed four turnovers — all in the second half.

“Every loss burns,” FitzSimmons said, “but we’re looking to get that game back. I have confidence in us that on Thursday, we’re gonna have a day.”

–Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass as San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) gives chase in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVIII. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

49ers try again to solve Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Of course the 49ers want another shot at the Kansas City Chiefs, a replay of the Super Bowl in Las Vegas on what turned into a forgettable February afternoon for San Francisco.

The Chiefs are chasing a three-peat and are off to a 5-0 start, stringing together 11 consecutive wins dating to last Christmas through the postseason. Inarguably their greatest win in that batch was the 25-22 overtime victory in which the Chiefs overcame a 10-point deficit and captured the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVIII.

San Francisco is 3-3 after taking head coach Kyle Shanahan termed a “must win” in his locker room before an NFC West grudge match at Seattle on Oct. 10. He is not going quite that far this week, but there is no denying how important the 49ers believe Sunday could be to their 2024 season.

“I try to have the same conversation every week, just word it a little differently — I never want to say ‘must win,’” Shanahan said. “I see this game like I see all games. Every game matters. But I didn’t choose those words (must win) this week.”

While the 49ers are relatively rested from a 10-day window between games and want the rematch, the timing of rolling out the red carpet for the NFL’s crownbearer isn’t entirely perfect. Kansas City had last week off.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid owns the NFL’s highest winning percentage coming out of a bye week. He is 21-4 (.840), including an 8-3 record coming out of a bye week in the regular season with Kansas City.

In addition, the Niners aren’t exactly a picture of health. They are still without 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, and his backup, Jordan Mason, the No. 2 rusher in the NFL this season, left last week’s game with a sprained shoulder.

Also, 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) and kicker Jake Moody (right ankle sprain) did not practice Wednesday. Wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. (wrist) was limited.

Defensive end Mike Danna (pectoral) was the lone regular who didn’t practice out of the bye for the Chiefs.

Shanahan said shifts in scheme have been common in matchups with the Chiefs, altering tendencies on offense and defense in the fourth quarter particularly. The bottom line for all opponents trying to solve Kansas City is beating quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“Everyone says ‘down year’ because their numbers aren’t just crazy. But Pat’s as good as it gets,” said Shanahan, who is 0-7 in his career against Reid as an assistant or head coach. “He’s been as good as it gets since the first year he got to play. All of their games except for one has come down to the last possession, and he’s as good as it gets in that situation.”

Shanahan’s record vs. Reid includes two defeats in 49ers-Chiefs Super Bowl matchups. Kansas City beat San Francisco 31-20 in February 2020.

Injuries are not an excuse the Chiefs are introducing. Though refreshed after a week off, Kansas City is far from full strength with 12 games to go in the regular season.

The Chiefs head West without No. 1 running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) and the team’s top two wide receivers Hollywood Brown (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (knee), who are all on injured reserve. Familiar faces rejoined the Chiefs in recent weeks and now find themselves in prominent roles alongside Mahomes. Kareem Hunt is working as the top running back again for the Chiefs, and Kansas City rediscovered JuJu Smith-Schuster, signed off the street in August, in a seven-catch, 130-yard effort in Week 5 vs. New Orleans.

The depth-chart roulette also invited Mahomes to reconnect with Travis Kelce. The tight end has 16 catches for 159 yards in the past two games, a major part of the Mahomes mentality not to lament who isn’t available for a given game.

“I’m just excited for the guys who continue to get better each and every week,” Mahomes said. “I think we’ve got the guys to do it.”

The offensive numbers are relatively modest to start this season from Mahomes’ best statistical seasons. He has as many TDs (six) as INTs in 2024. Kansas City enters the week 15th in scoring (23.6 per game), ninth in passing (236.8 yards per game) and 11th in total offense (354.6 yards per game).

Reid said avoiding penalties and turnovers was an emphasis after a self-scout during the bye week.

“We can do a better job of not stopping ourselves with things,” Reid said. “Whether it’s penalties or dropped balls, we’ve had a couple of those. Schematically, we go back and we hammer through that. We can help out the guys in some of the areas, too, just putting them in a little bit better position.”

The 49ers are thriving even with an evolving cast, averaging 27 points (ninth in the league), 420 total yards (second), 262 passing yards (second) and 158 rushing yards (third) entering Week 7. And only four teams have fewer defensive takeaways than the Chiefs (four).

However, as 49ers linebacker Fred Warner painfully framed this week, Mahomes has never lost to the 49ers. He is 4-0 with 1,356 pass yards (339 per contest), 11 TDs (10 pass, one rush) with a combined passer rating of 104.6 when facing San Francisco.

“They still got 15 back there. I have yet to beat him,” Warner said. “I have played against him maybe four times now and have yet to beat him. I think it’s an important game for us to try and get over that hump and get the win.”

With a win Sunday in Santa Clara, Kansas City would become the 10th defending Super Bowl champion to start the following season 6-0. The only times the Chiefs began 6-0 were 2003, when they finished 13-3 but lost in the AFC divisional playoffs, and 2013, when they went 11-5 and fell in an AFC wild-card game.

–Field Level Media