The Pitt Panthers will begin its 2022 season as the No. 17 team in the country.
Pat Narduzzi's team was ranked at that spot in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll released on Monday, after finishing as the No. 13 team in the nation following an 11-3 season, an ACC championship, and an appearance in the Peach Bowl.
Pitt is one of five ACC teams slotted in the initial rankings, along with No. 4 Clemson, No. 13 NC State, No. 16 Miami, and No. 22 Wake Forest.
Much speculation surrounded the Panthers as a team to potentially not earn a ranking, after losing Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison in the offseason while fellow ranked ACC teams ride heightened expectations.