In 2017, the U looked like they were back as they ran the table through the first ten games heading into Pittsburgh against the Panthers in their regular season finale. The nation’s then number-two ranked Canes controlled their own destiny to get to a potential playoff appearance and just needed to complete the regular season slate at Heinz Field (granted the Canes had some evident flaws and escaped close games to that point).
The 4-7 Panthers, on the other hand, were playing for nothing. However, then-true freshman quarterback, Kenny Pickett, played the best game of his young career as he ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, in the shocking 24-14 Pitt victory over the 10-0 Canes - a Miami team which, to that date, featured a dominant defensive cohort.