Grading the Panthers: Pitt gets high marks for season's first half while expectations continue to rise

Just for fun and to pass the time during Pitt’s open (don’t call it a bye) week, let’s set up a fake scenario of two Pitt fans before the season sitting at the bar at Cupka’s Cafe on the South Side drinking Crown and Coke.

Man 1: “Hey, how do you think NarDog will do this season? (Yes, Pitt fans do refer to Pat Narduzzi that way — as a term of endearment, I think.)”

Man 2: “Beats me, but he was 3-9 last season, fired a bunch of good people, changed the offense, lost some starters to the transfer portal. If he gets to 6-6, that will be a good season.”

Man 1: “It’s gotta be better than that. I’ll go as high as 8-4.”

Man 2: “I’ll drink to that. Richie, another round.”

Before the season, an 8-4 record sounded good, even a bit optimistic. Guess what? After a 6-0 start, if Pitt finishes 8-4, there will be no one toasting the coach.

Great expectations have replaced skepticism, and Pitt has a second double-digit victory total in four years within its grasp. It won’t be easy, but coming close to matching the efforts of the first half of the season could put Pitt in the ACC championship game. The Panthers have been that good, especially in crucial late-game moments, and that’s what separates mediocre from good and good from great.

How well has Pitt played this season? Here are the Panthers’ mid-term grades:

Quarterback: A-

Eli Holstein gets downgraded for throwing five interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown and two in one game against a good California secondary. But you have to be impressed by his command of the huddle, the confidence his teammates believe he possesses and his ability to extend plays with his legs. Don’t forget, he’s on a 3,400-yard pace as a redshirt freshman quarterback. It’s only a projection, but if he even gets to 3,300 that would be third in Pitt history.

Running back: A

Desmond Reid looks to have sufficient toughness to carry Pitt’s running game all season. He has game-breaking speed and has scored on 72-, 56-, 78- and 46-yard plays. You’d like to see more from Daniel Carter, Rodney Hammond and Derrick Davis, but Narduzzi seems reluctant to take Reid off the field because of his ability to break a long run or pitch-and-catch at any time. Can’t blame him.

Pass catchers: B+

Kenny Johnson and Konata Mumpfield have the ability to thrive in offensive coordinator Kade Bell’s offense. They are averaging 15.3 yards per reception and are two of seven players who have caught touchdown passes. Daejon Reynolds has only two receptions, but can you name a bigger one — post-Jordan Addison — than the 40-yard touchdown catch against West Virginia? And no one can complain that tight end Gavin Bartholomew is being ignored (17 catches/146 yards), but it’s past time to get him in the end zone.

Offensive line: B-

Injuries to the left side of the line — tackle Branson Taylor and guard Ryan Jacoby — curtailed offensive productivity in the California game. Who knows if they’ll be ready for Syracuse on Oct. 24? The line gets good marks for opening holes for Reid, just not enough of them last week. Take away the 72-yard run, and his average was 3.2 on 15 carries. Opponents are averaging more than two sacks per game (14 total), which isn’t horrible. But only four ACC teams have allowed more, and the better ones — SMU, Clemson and Miami — have surrendered six, six and nine.

Defensive line: C+

Narduzzi likes to get sacks from his down linemen so he can deploy seven defenders in passing lanes, but Pitt had only six from that group in the first five games. End Jimmy Scott collected three of his four against California, and Nate Matlack has three all season. Push from the interior will get better if Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James stay healthy. Four opposing running backs have gained 149, 106, 79 and 72 yards against Pitt. Narduzzi finds that unacceptable.

Linebackers: A

Kyle Louis has the agility, speed and leaping ability of a basketball player, and his stats reflect that — three sacks among 8 1/2 TFLs, two interceptions and eight hurries. In the middle, Brandon George, a sixth-year senior, packs a punch and knows how to align everyone. Rasheem Biles has eight TFLs, and he wasn’t happy when trainers looked at his injury, sided with caution and kept him out of the Cal game. Braylan Lovelace isn’t bad coming off the bench.

Defensive backs: C

Pitt is giving up an average of 244.7 yards per game through the air. That’s 14th in the 17-team ACC, and the better teams — Miami and Clemson — are third and fourth (192.8 and 208). Next up is Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord, who is second in the conference at 360 aerial yards per game. Starting defensive backs have only one interception.

Special teams: A+

Ben Sauls has been perfect on 10 field goal tries, three of which were from 50 yards or longer. Punter Caleb Junko has improved his average from 42.3 last year to 44.9, with only one touchback.

Coaching: A

Narduzzi’s name is among 27 on the watch list for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year award. Give him credit for stepping out of his comfort zone to hire Bell and his hurry-up system and to have the courage to play a redshirt freshman at quarterback. Picking his spots on fourth down (7 of 9 conversions) and Bell pushing all the right buttons earns an A grade for the staff.