Pat Narduzzi walked inside the big conference room adjacent to his office Thursday afternoon and correctly read the minds of the assembled reporters. “Probably the big question is how is Eli doing, right?

The Pittsburgh Panthers got off to their first 7-0 start since 1982, and perhaps the biggest reason for a flawless opening two months was the presence of redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein. The Alabama transfer burst onto the scene and immediately looked the part of a former 4-star recruit finding his form as a starter.

Holstein left Pitt's game against Virginia last week with a head injury​ and is questionable for the ACC matchup against the No. 17 ranked Tigers.

Pat Narduzzi announced Thursday at his weekly presser that Holstein has not been cleared by the Pitt medical staff yet, and his status is a game-time decision. Narduzzi said that Pitt has confidence in both Holstein and backup Nate Yarnell, but obviously, Holstein will play if healthy.

There's no hiding it. After starting the season 7-0 and getting off to its best start in over 40 years, Pitt has played its worst football over the last two weeks of the season, both of which resulted in disappointing losses.