PITTSBURGH — I doubt you'll see Kenny Pickett strike the Desmond Howard Heisman pose Saturday, but you might see him stake a legitimate claim to the award.
This is his best chance.
Yes, Clemson is down this season, but it still fields an elite defense. All you need to know is that it did not allow a touchdown to the No. 1 team in the country when it lost to Georgia, 10-3 (Georgia scored on an interception return).
For Pickett, it's a nationally televised showcase against a big-name opponent that allows just 12.5 points per game.
People will be watching. They'll be curious about the state of Clemson football and very curious about this mysterious Pitt quarterback who appeared on several mid-season All-America teams.
Who is this guy?
It might not be the perfect scenario — being undefeated and facing, say, a second-ranked Clemson team would qualify as that — but it's the best scenario Pickett is likely to find. Pitt probably won't be playing another high-profile opponent all the way through the ACC title game, should it advance that far, on Dec. 3.
The Heisman voting deadline is three days after that, but let's be honest: This is the time of year when voters begin to make up their minds — and it's a wide-open race.
Merely by finishing in the top three, Pickett would make history. The only other Pitt players to finish that high were Tony Dorsett, who won it in 1976, Larry Fitzgerald (second in 2003), Hugh Green (second in 1980) and Marshall Goldberg (second in 1938, third in '37).
So in terms of modern-day players, that would be pretty good company, yes? Dorsett, Fitzgerald, Green, Pickett. Only 14 players across Pitt history have even finished in the top 10.
The odds are against Pickett because there will be much bigger games featuring candidates such as Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud. On the other hand, there is no obvious choice, no Reggie Bush or Joe Burrow, and Pickett's numbers are ridiculous — 21 touchdowns, one interception, 69.8% completion rate. That is why he's already eighth or higher in every "Heisman watch" you can find.
"This quarterback is special," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told reporters Tuesday.
This quarterback also is a case study in what an extra year can do for a prospect. In some ways, Pickett has become the offensive version of Pitt great Aaron Donald.
After an excellent junior season, Donald thought about the NFL. Told he might last until the fifth round or beyond, he decided to return for what became one of the greatest defensive seasons in college football history. He won every trophy in sight — except for one.
Despite Pitt's best efforts in touting him, Donald never was a serious contender for the Heisman (Jameis Winston won it). He didn't even finish in the top 10, which is laughable looking back.
Defensive players don't usually merit much Heisman consideration, but only a year earlier, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o finished second, and a Georgia linebacker named Jarvis Jones finished 10th — and got a first-place vote (I can prove it)!
Pitt's record was the other key factor working against Donald. It wasn't good enough. The Panthers finished 7-6 overall in 2013 and just 3-5 in their first year in the ACC. Donald's greatest game — against Georgia Tech — was televised on ESPNU.
Which brings us back to Pickett and the importance of winning and having a national canvas on which to carve a signature moment.
It's not like this is the SEC championship game or Michigan-Ohio State. Pickett won't become the favorite even if he throws for 400 yards and four touchdowns.
But this is his best chance.
