Pitt vs. SMU: How to Watch

How to watch the Pitt Panthers take on the SMU Mustangs in a top 25 matchup.

Oct 24, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Tamon Lynum (8) celebrates a tackle of Syracuse Orange running back LeQuint Allen (1) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images / Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

PITTSBURGH -- The No. 18 Pitt Panthers will look to stay undefeated on the season, as they face off against the No. 20 SMU Mustangs on Nov. 2 with a primetime kickoff.

Quick Preview

The 7-0 start to the season is the best for the Panthers since they were 7-0 in 1982, with Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino in his senior year.

The 4-0, undefeated non-conference record was the first time they ever acheived that since joining the Big East in that 1991 season, after historically playing as an independent previously.

Along with their five home wins, Pitt also has two road wins vs. Cincinnati in Week 2 and against North Carolina in their ACC opener in Week 6.

Pitt played their last two games at home, a 17-15 defensive battle victory vs. Cal in Week 7 and then a 41-13 blowout of rival Syracuse, which saw them make five interceptions and return three for touchdowns.

SMU is having a great season so far, 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the ACC and have won their past five games. Their only loss came to BYU at home, 18-15, who is now No. 11 and undefeated.

They just survived their first ACC close call, defeating Duke in overtime, 28-27 on the road in Week 9.

Sophomore quarterback Kevin Jennings had a poor game, throwing three interceptions and fumbling the ball twice as the Mustangs had six turnovers in the game. They would block a last second field goal from the Blue Devils and stopped a two-point conversion in overtime to seal the victory.

History of Pitt vs. SMU

SMU and Pitt have faced each other a few times near the halfway point of the 20th century, but less so recently. Then ranked No. 1 Pitt dominated SMU, 34-7, at Pitt Stadium in 1938, the final season of legendary head coach Jock Sutherland's career.

The Panthers battled the Mustangs twice at Pitt Stadium under new head coach Charley Bowser in closer battles. They tied 7-7 in 1940 and then won 20-7 in Bowser’s final season as head coach.

The biggest game between both programs came on Jan. 1, 1983, in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. No. 6 Pitt and No. 4 SMU fought a great defensive battle throughout the game and neither team did much offensively. Pitt took the lead on an Eric Schubert 43-yard field goal in the third quarter, but SMU would win the game 7-3, thanks to a Lance McIlhenny nine-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs dominated the Panthers in their most recent matchup in the 2012 BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala. In Paul Chryst’s first Bowl Game, SMU stopped Pitt offensively and easily won 28-6.

How to Watch

Pitt will face SMU at 8:00 p.m. on the ACC Network at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, serving as their first matchup against the ACC newcomer, joining from the American Athletic Conference.

This is the first game the Panthers will play on the ACC Network this season and their first night game on a Saturday, playing the Syracuse game on Oct. 24, a Thursday night, at 7:30 p.m.

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