As has been customary in recent years, Pitt will begin the season with a game against the FCS. While these teams almost always represent a win, the Panthers could find themselves with their hands full against Youngstown State.
Coached by Bo Pelini, the Penguins were one of the best teams in the FCS last year and that should again be the case in 2017. The Penguins went to the FCS championship game, ultimately losing to champion James Madison, 28-14. 12-4 on the season, Youngstown State did its fair share of scoring, topping the 35-point mark six times. In the team's last five wins before the title game loss, they scored a whopping 42.