Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi and Virginia Tech’s James Franklin have met before, just not quite like this

Pitt's Pat Narduzzi and Virginia Tech's James Franklin have previously met, though not under these circumstances. When Franklin became the new head coach at Virginia Tech, he made an effort to reconnect with his former opponent from their brief series together at Penn State. Coach Narduzzi expressed his respect for Franklin's coaching abilities, describing him as "a first-class coach."

The matchup between the two teams this Friday could prove crucial for both sides, with Virginia Tech aiming to start their season strong and Pittsburgh seeking its first win since 2021. Despite the buzz surrounding the game, Narduzzi and Franklin remain focused on the task at hand, with Narduzzi emphasizing the importance of consistent wins and Franklin acknowledging the benefits of a change of scenery.