Pitt-Boston College Preview: Everything You Need to Know
Pitt football is looking to right the ship Saturday when the Panthers take on Boston College at Acrisure Stadium.
The Panthers have dropped their last two games and are 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play after falling to Louisville 34-27 at home last week.
Boston College comes to town with a 1-3 record and on a three-game losing streak. The Eagles defeated the Panthers last fall in the regular-season finale, 34-23, in Chestnut Hill. Pitt holds an 18-16 all-time edge in the series.
Pitt Outlook
A promising 7-0 record and 3-0 ACC start in 2024 feel like ages ago for Pitt as it has now lost six consecutive conference games.
Pitt jumped out to a 17-0 lead on Louisville last week with a lengthy touchdown catch by Cataurus Hicks and a big splash play from linebacker Rasheem Biles, who returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown.
Two major Pitt special teams snafus allowed the Cardinals to score on short field position before the Panthers regained a double-digit lead before half.
The second half was a different story for Pitt, however. The Panthers were shut out and starting quarterback Eli Holstein ended his day on the bench after throwing two interceptions. Cole Gonzales came in for relief and failed to spark a comeback after Louisville signal caller Miller Moss tossed two touchdowns to tight ends.
Pitt’s offense has averaged 22 points in the last two games and ranks 64th in total offense this season, averaging 403 yards per game.
Star running back Desmond Reid has been limited since suffering an injury in the first quarter against West Virginia as he missed the Louisville game entirely. Backup running back Juelz Goff has rushed for 116 yards on 28 attempts (4.1 avg.)
Raphael Williams leads all Pitt wide receivers with 16 catches for 302 yards and four touchdowns. Cataurus Hicks has pulled in 11 catches for 197 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, Pitt has held teams to 74 yards on the ground — seventh-best mark in the country.
Linebacker Rasheem Biles has compiled a team-high 42 tackles and seven tackles for loss, to go along with a sack, interception and two pass breakups.
Boston College
HEAD COACH
Bill O’Brien (2nd season – 4th season overall collegiately)
The former Houston Texans head coach (2014-20) has bounced around over the past few seasons as the Alabama and Ohio State offensive coordinator, along with a stop with the New England Patriots as the OC.
Now, he’s in his second year leading Boston College after a 7-6 record in 2024 that was capped with an appearance in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. The Eagles opened last season with a top-10 win over Florida State.
BOSTON COLLEGE PREVIEW
Boston College began the 2025 campaign with a 66-10 victory over Fordham. Since then, the Eagles have reeled with three straight losses.
The Eagles fell on the road in overtime to Michigan State, 42-40, and fell in conference matchups against Stanford and California.
Against Cal, Boston College led 24-21 late in the fourth quarter before the Golden Bears connected on a 51-yard touchdown pass with 1:30 to go.
Despite the 1-3 record, Boston College has thrown the ball at a high level this season with 344.5 yards per game — good for fourth in the nation.
Alabama transfer Dylan Lonegran came in and won the starting job and has completed 111-of-160 (69.4%) of his passes for 1,188 yards and nine touchdowns to three interceptions.
Lonegran’s top option has been redshirt senior wide receiver Lewis Bond, who has pulled in 36 passes for 352 yards. Jaedn Skeete, Turbo Richard and Reed Harris have all caught at least two touchdown passes.
On the ground, Richard has paced the Eagles with 58 carries for 329 yards and four touchdowns.
Boston College ranks 51st in total defense, allowing 329.8 yards per game. The Eagles check in at No. 97 in scoring defense, giving up 27.5 points per game.
Spread
Pitt is a 6.5-point home favorite, according to Bet MGM. Pitt is -250 on the Money line and the over/under is set at 57.5.
Game Time
Pitt and Boston College is set to kick off Saturday at noon EST at Acrisure Stadium.
TV
Pitt vs. Boston College can be found on the ACC Network with Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst) and Kendra Douglass (reporter) calling the game.
Radio
Pitt vs. Boston College will be live on 93.7 The Fan as well with Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Pat Bostick (analyst), Dorin Dickerson (sideline) and Larry Richert (sideline) calling the action.
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