The second CFP Rankings 2025 have dropped. Looks like the CFP committee hasn’t exactly shown the ACC much love. Miami landed at No. 15 while Georgia Tech barely got a glance. Yet, among the five ACC squads in the Top 25, it’s the one ranked lowest that holds the power to shake up the entire playoff picture.

On the November 11th episode of the See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack podcast, analyst Brent Rollins dropped his hot take on how the Pittsburgh Panthers have the reins in their hands.“The most important team in terms of controlling the destiny of multiple teams like three to four maybe even five teams is Pit,” shared the analyst. Where does Pat Narduzzi’s Pittsburgh stand in the latest rankings?

Perhaps the best of the ACC bunch, the Panthers sit lowest at No. 22. Pittsburgh (7-2, 5-1 ACC) brings its five-game winning streak home for a statement matchup against Notre Dame at Acrisure Stadium. And Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns must be having their eyes fixed on how the Panthers fare against the Fighting Irish. Now, give it a thought.

Notre Dame’s CFP hopes and Texas’ path are linked. Marcus Freeman and co. still sits within striking distance of the playoffs, hovering near the Top 10. If Pittsburgh upsets the Irish, that loss would almost certainly knock Notre Dame out of CFP contention. The chance that the Texas Longhorns are waiting with bated breath. As per the latest rankings, Notre Dame stands at No.9 and Texas at No.10.

If the Panthers take down Notre Dame, it trims the playoff field and boosts the weight of Power Four résumés. With fewer ACC or independent contenders left standing, a one-loss Texas, backed by wins over Oklahoma and a potential Big 12 title, would shine brighter than a three-loss Notre Dame. What will happen if Pittsburgh lands Georgia Tech a heartbreak?

The ACC losing its one-loss darling gives a boost to one-loss teams from other leagues, especially Texas, Oregon, and Alabama, who could climb higher in the next CFP rankings.

Miami could lose leverage for an ACC title or a top-tier bowl if it were in contention after suffering a loss in the Panthers’ hands. And the analyst had already stirred up some fear. “It starts this week because they’ve got Notre Dame this week, despite Narduzzi’s comments,” said Rollins. “They can potentially win..Georgia Tech and then Miami to end the season.” With a slate full of high-stakes matchups, Pittsburgh coach Narduzzi’s words have become the talk of the town.

Is the Pittsburgh Panthers head coach playing mind games?

Despite Pittsburgh being one of the ACC’s top five on the committee’s radar, Narduzzi dismissed the notion that facing Notre Dame was a ‘must-win.’ Toning down the hype, he called it just another checkpoint in the Panthers’ journey forward. “Absolutely not. It’s not an ACC game, glad you brought that up,” he said. “I’d gladly get beat 103 … or 110-10 in that game. They can put 100 up on us as long as we win the next two. Again, our focus is on Notre Dame and getting as many wins as we can.”

Now, for a second, put yourself in the shoes of the Pittsburgh athletic department. His contract was last extended in 2022, keeping him in Pittsburgh through 2030. Right now, he is drawing a salary worth $7,259,909. Not exactly the stance expected from a head coach ahead of a heated rivalry. More so, when Narduzzi is winless at 0-4 versus Notre Dame. The Irish have dominated the scoreboard in the past two matchups, 103-10. But the question is whether the Pittsburgh head coach is playing mind games.

After all, we have seen how overconfidence and treating rivals lightly made college football programs pay a heavy cost. Coming from one of the nation’s most explosive teams on a roll, 200 points over the last five games, such a lack of confidence is unexpected. The Pittsburgh Panthers might just be mastering the art of quiet dominance, keeping low while quietly turning the CFP rankings upside down.