Stadium lights shine bright, TV cameras take aim when Pitt’s on the schedule
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In a stretch of six regular-season games spanning 2019, 2020 and 2021, Pitt was undefeated in prime time.
Perhaps it’s a coincidence, but most likely it had more to do with having Kenny Pickett at quarterback than any boost the Panthers received from national exposure.
Pickett is gone now, but Pitt still moves the TV networks’ needle. The Panthers’ ACC opener Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium against North Carolina was the ninth game in two seasons — and the third of four in a row this season — that started at 6:38 p.m. or later.
It will be telecast on the ACC Network.
At least two more night games remain this season: next Saturday at Virginia Tech and a Thursday night ESPN telecast Nov. 16 at home against Boston College.
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi was hoping to reverse a troubling trend at night. After beating West Virginia and Western Michigan last year in prime time, Pitt lost five of its next six games under the lights, including two this month.
Overall in nine seasons under Narduzzi, Pitt has received neither an advantage nor disadvantage at night. Pitt’s record was virtually down-the-middle (12-11) in those games before Saturday.
Actually, the only cost is a few hours of lost sleep for the coaching staff. No matter what time the game ends the night before — home or away — it’s back to work early Sunday morning.
Why is Pitt bestowed such an honor so often?
Kurt Dargis, ESPN’s senior director of college football programming, said it’s simply a matter of giving viewers what is perceived as the best game in the most favorable window that week. The fact that Pitt and North Carolina played in the previous two ACC championship games didn’t hurt.
“Big conference games both weeks,” Dargis said, putting Pitt’s annual tussle with Virginia Tech in that category. “They want to make sure they have the best conference game on their schedule in the prime time window.”
It started this season with the Cincinnati game on The CW. Dargis said it was “an opportunity for The CW to get its package off to a big start.”
ESPN was “thrilled” to secure the Backyard Brawl featuring an ACC team against one from the Big 12, he said.
“It was sort of a no-brainer for prime time on ABC,” he said.
Dargis said the presence of Heisman Trophy candidate Drake Maye of North Carolina was less of a factor than the tendency for Pitt and North Carolina to play entertaining games. Before the Tar Heels won last year, 42-24, the previous six games in the series were decided by a total of 24 points, with two going to overtime.
”It’s more about the programs and how (they factor) into the conference race, moreso than individual players,” Dargis said. “An individual player can maybe be a tiebreaker if it’s sort of a tossup. It’s more about the programs and what they represent.”
This week, the ACC Network wanted to bring its studio shows (“ACC PM,” and “ACC Huddle”) to Pittsburgh in its quest to visit as many conference cities as possible.
“ACC PM” was on campus Friday afternoon, with host Mark Packer set up near the Cathedral of Learning for two hours. “ACC Huddle,” with E.J. Manuel, Eric Mac Lain, Eddie Royal and Mark Richt, was at Acrisure Stadium at 11 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and after the game Saturday.