No. 1 Miami (6-0, 4-0 ACC) hosts Pitt (5-2, 2-2 ACC) at noon ET on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Hurricanes improved to 6-0 and claimed the No. 1 ranking in both major polls after a 43-35 double-overtime victory over Florida State. Pitt arrives after consecutive losses to North Carolina and Boston College and will play without starting quarterback Mason Heintschel, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.
How to watch Miami vs. Pitt
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Time: Noon ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app, Disney+, and services that carry ESPN (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling)
Announcers for Miami vs. Pitt
Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst) and Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter) will call the game on ESPN.
Odds for Miami vs. Pitt
- Spread: Miami -20
- Moneyline: Miami -1800, Pitt +950
- Total: 49.5 points
Miami is 4-2 against the spread this season while Pitt is 4-3.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Weather forecast at Hard Rock Stadium
Temperatures are expected in the mid-to-upper 70s at kickoff with northeast winds of 15-20 mph and higher gusts. Forecasts show a 25-40% chance of rain or thunderstorms during the game window, with higher probabilities later in the afternoon.
All-time series: Miami leads 30-12-1
The Hurricanes have won three of the last four meetings, including a 38-7 victory last season on the road. Pitt's most recent win in the series came in 2022, when the Panthers defeated Miami 42-16 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Injury report snapshot
Miami Hurricanes
- Right guard Max Buchanan: Out (left-leg injury)
Pitt Panthers
- Quarterback Mason Heintschel: Out (torn ACL)
Miami vs. Pitt: Key storylines
- Miami is ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2002 and has outscored opponents 291-84 through six games.
- Darian Mensah has thrown for 1,764 yards and 18 touchdowns with one interception.
- Pitt ranks fourth in the ACC in total offense at 450.1 yards per game but has scored 27 points or fewer in each of its last two contests.
- Pitt will start either Holden Geriner or Corey Dailey at quarterback.
- Miami's average margin of victory is 34.5 points.
Miami vs. Pitt: Keys to the game
1. Miami's ground game against Pitt's front
The Hurricanes rushed for 257 yards against Florida State and average 226.5 yards per game on the ground. Pitt held Boston College to 103 rushing yards last week, although the Panthers' own ground game produced 199 yards, led by Damon Ferguson Jr.'s 119 and La'Vell Wright's 52.
2. Containing Pitt's explosive plays
Pitt has produced 18 touchdown passes this season, with 11 different receivers scoring. Miami's secondary, which allowed 305 passing yards to Florida State, will face a unit that has averaged 450.1 yards of total offense. While the Panthers don't have the QB that made that all possible, it will still be something to watch as the game goes on.
3. Early-game tempo
Miami has scored 43, 41 and 52 points in its last three games, while Pitt is struggling to find its rhythm. The weather could be an adjustment for both teams in the pass game as well.
Players to watch in Miami vs. Pitt
Miami Hurricanes
- Quarterback Darian Mensah: The redshirt junior has thrown for 1,764 yards, 18 touchdowns and one interception through six games, producing a 203.9 passer rating. He has also rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Against Florida State he went 23-of-34 for 326 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
- Wide receiver Malachi Toney: The sophomore leads Miami with 50 receptions for 758 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 15.2 yards per catch. He ranks among the national leaders in catches and yards. Against Florida State he caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 31 yards and threw a pass for a two-point conversion.
- Running back Javian Mallory: The true freshman has rushed for 397 yards and five touchdowns on 52 carries, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt. He leads the Hurricanes in rushing and was named ACC Rookie of the Week after posting 108 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries against Florida State.
Pitt Panthers
- Running back Damon Ferguson Jr.: The true freshman has rushed for 438 yards and three touchdowns on 83 carries while adding 16 receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown. He leads Pitt in rushing and posted a season-high 119 yards on 17 carries against Boston College.
- Wide receiver Cataurus Hicks: The senior transfer has 26 receptions for 500 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 19.2 yards per catch. He has produced at least 50 yards in five of seven games, including 135 yards and a touchdown on five catches against Boston College.
- Quarterback Holden Geriner or Corey Dailey: With Mason Heintschel out for the season with a torn ACL, one of the two backups will start. Geriner has completed 46 of 70 passes for 438 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in limited action. Dailey has completed 14 of 30 passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
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