Miami, Florida – This is it, the last game of the season, as the Miami Hurricanes battle the Pittsburgh Panthers in a matchup of postseason implications. The now twelfth-ranked Cardiac Canes won comfortably at Virginia Tech but found little chaos to take advantage of. Fortunately for them, Utah nearly choked against Kansas State 51-47, allowing the Hurricanes to switch places with them in the latest CFP committee rankings. Moving up a spot, Miami is storming into Acrisure Stadium at 9-2 (5-2, ACC). UM knows it must win out for any shot at either advancing to the conference title game or entering the CFP as an at-large bid, although the latter is more likely.
With a victory over Pitt, Miami would collect its fourth ranked win of the year. However, in addition to the dub, they will likely have to jump Alabama and BYU in December’s final CFP rankings. Bama will visit Auburn while BYU hosts UCF. Also, keep in mind that if Ole Miss doesn’t win the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State, it helps out The U significantly.
When it comes to the ACC Championship, the Hurricanes need to beat the Panthers and hope that at least two of the following three teams lose: Duke to Wake Forest, SMU to Cal, or Virginia to Virginia Tech. Curiously, if all three fall and Miami wins, they will face Georgia Tech in the championship game. Pitt, meanwhile, knocked off then No. 16 Georgia Tech 42-28, breathing life into their ACC championship chances and putting the Yellow Jackets’ season on life support. Checking in at 8-3 (6-1, ACC), the Panthers are now ranked at 22. Pitt needs to win, complemented by an SMU or Virginia loss. The wild part is that the ACC might have two teams in the CFP. The Panthers crushed UM in their last meeting, 42-16, in 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Pittsburgh
Mason Heintschel
Mason Heintschel to Kenny Johnson. Good start for Pitt pic.twitter.com/Um1rKj3718
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) November 23, 2025
Talk about a big change of fortunes. Mason Heintschel started the season as a third-stringer in the depth chart. However, he replaced Eli Holstein in week six against Boston College. A combination of injuries and inconsistent performances plagued Holstein. Heintschel has since reinvigorated the offense and is poised to lead Pitt to a title game after outdueling Haynes King, recording 226 passing yards and three touchdowns, including one on the ground. The true freshman currently stands at 1,899 yards, 14 TDs, and six INTs.
Kenny Johnson
.@Kennyjohnson05 joined @kelseyriggs last night on ACC PM 📺
They talked team chemistry, the upcoming schedule & @fastboidez 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/iAnc2QF2X2
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) October 29, 2025
Moving to the wide receivers, we will now discuss Kenny Johnson. The junior leads the team with 47 receptions for 691 yards and five scores. Unsurprisingly, he was also one of the standouts in the win over the Yellow Jackets, hauling in six catches for 91 yards and a TD. Keionte Scott may be out for the season, but the rest of the defensive backs can shut down Heintschel’s go-to guy and the rest of the opposing offense. Their success will be a key to victory.
Rashad Battle
— Rashad Battle (@RashadBattle15) September 2, 2024
Speaking of DBs, the next player the Hurricanes should watch out for is Rashad Battle. The Atlanta, Georgia native is a ball hawk who has successfully broken up five passes during the season, including two last weekend at Georgia Tech. That could mean the difference between an explosive play and a momentum-ending incompletion. Battle does not have an interception, and in the interests of UM, let’s hope it stays that way.
Miami
Carson Beck
Offensive consistency? Carson Beck and @CanesFootball have it.
1300+ yards, 112 points, and 3 blowout wins over the past 3 weeks 📈 pic.twitter.com/tYv0Xa35IB
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 25, 2025
It has all come down to this moment. Carson Beck bounced back wonderfully since the loss at SMU, helping to carry the team through a three-game winning streak with zero interceptions during that span. Beck torched the Hokies for 320 yards and four touchdowns, and a similar performance will be needed at Pittsburgh. Fun fact: The Hurricanes are 7-0 when Carson Beck does not throw a pick, and are 2-2 when he does. Some food for thought.
Girard Pringle Jr.
Girard Pringle Jr with the nice YAC pic.twitter.com/kRbJ5X8rDw
— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) November 15, 2025
The Canes will be facing a defense that is very stingy against the run. Allowing only 93.1 yards per game, Miami’s running back corps will be facing its toughest assignment of the 2025 campaign. UM was held to 83 yards rushing against Virginia Tech, with Girard Pringle Jr. finding limited success, scratching 49 yards over 14 carries. This may come down to Beck in the event the ground game is unable to plow its way through the defense.
Keelan Marion
Keelan Marion has the need for speed 💨
📺 ESPN x @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/tGhsayDMNz
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 8, 2025
All eyes will likely be on Malachi Toney, but Beck has someone other than CJ Daniels to cause havoc with on the gridiron. Keelan Marion presents himself as a nifty option to come up with decisive plays on third down. Marion recorded six catches for 79 yards, averaging 13.2 yards per catch. Keelan can get you downfield in a hurry, and in a potentially tight game, Beck can use all the help he can get.
Prediction
When it comes to points per game, Pitt is the best in the conference on offense, producing 37.6 to Miami’s 33.7 (tied for fourth). Conversely, the Hurricanes top the ACC on defense, allowing 14.5 to the Panthers’ 23.7 (ninth), setting up a potentially entertaining contest. This won’t be the first time the Canes face a high-powered offense. The concern is that it’s in hostile territory and a cold climate after the Thanksgiving holiday. Both teams have something to play for. Miami has to get off to a fast start and rattle Heintschel’s cage. UM took a step back in the penalties department, so they will have to lock back in while winning the turnover war. Lastly, the run game will need to perform well; otherwise, it will be all on Beck. Final score: Miami 31, Pittsburgh 24.
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