GAME STORYLINES
• Pitt will close its 2017 regular season with an ABC television spotlight and the challenge of facing ACC Coastal Division champ Miami, ranked No. 2 nationally by both the Associated Press and USA Today Amway Coaches Poll.
 
• The No. 2 Hurricanes are the highest-ranked team Pitt has hosted at Heinz Field in 16 years. Coincidentally, that opponent was also Miami, ranked No. 1 in both polls when the teams met on Sept. 27, 2001. The Hurricanes won, 43-21, en route to an undefeated (12-0) national title year. 
 
• Pitt last played a team ranked this high just last season. The Panthers faced No. 3/2 Clemson in Death Valley on Nov. 12, 2016, handing the eventual national champion Tigers their only defeat, 43-42.
 
• Clemson marked the highest-ranked foe Pitt had beaten since its 13-9 win at West Virginia on Dec. 1, 2007, costing WVU a BCS title game appearance.
 
• Fourteen seniors will be making their final appearance at Heinz Field when the Panthers host Miami. Of note: this week’s projected Pitt starting lineup (24 positions with two specialists) lists only seven seniors, including two who are listed as co-starters.
 
• Junior tailback Darrin Hall has rushed for more than 100 yards in three of the Panthers’ past four contests. Hall is averaging 122.5 yards over this span, totaling 490 yards and eight touchdowns on 87 carries (5.6 avg.).
 
• The Panthers will need to prioritize minimizing turnovers when facing the Hurricanes’ ball-hawking defense. Miami ranks No. 1 in the country in turnover margin, forcing 27 and surrendering just 11 (+16, 1.60 margin per game). 
 
• Pitt’s 2017 roster has 14 players from the state of Florida. Eight of those players are listed in this week’s projected two-deep on offense and defense.
 
SERIES IN BRIEF
Series Began: 1950
Series Overall: Miami leads 25-10-1
ACC Series: Miami leads 3-1
At Pittsburgh: Miami leads 14-5
At Miami: Miami leads 11-5-1
At Neutral Sites: DNA
Last Meeting: Nov. 5, 2016 (Miami 51, Pitt 28)
Last Meeting at Pitt: Nov. 27, 2015 (Miami 29, Pitt 24)
Current Series Win Streak: Miami has won 2 (2015-16)
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 2 games (twice)
Longest Miami Series Win Streak: 8 games (twice)
Largest Pitt Margin of Victory: 17 points (36-19, 1976)
Largest Miami Margin of Victory: 58 points (58-0, 1967)