ON3 Story by Billy Embody posted
Legendary USC quarterback Matt Leinart is set to visit SMU this weekend with his son, 2026 Los Angeles (Calif.) Redondo Union quarterback Cole Leinart, who holds an offer from the Mustangs.
The Mustangs take on Pitt Saturday at 7 p.m. CT on ACC Network in a matchup of Top 20 teams who have ACC Championship aspirations.
Despite an offer from SMU for Cole, Matt Leinart took Pitt to cover and alluded to him liking the Panthers to maybe even win the game. Rhett Lashlee and his staff are hosting Cole for a recruiting visit this weekend.
“I’m going to the game over in Dallas, Pitt at SMU,” Leinart said on his Crown ‘Em segment of the Throwbacks Show. “Both of these teams undefeated in ACC play. Pitt is getting 7.5 points. I am taking Pitt, plus the points. We don’t know yet if their starting quarterback Eli Holstein is playing. This to me is a game strength on strength. You got SMU with the No. 1 rushing offense in the ACC going up against Pitt and the No. 2 rushing defense. I like that matchup for Pitt. I even like Pitt potentially to win this game so give me Pitt +7.5, that is my Crown ‘Em Game of the Week.”
Credit to Matt, who clearly isn’t playing favorites even with his son set to visit SMU. Pitt though is among the other programs to offer the younger Leinart. Arizona, Colorado, Duke, Utah and others have also offered the 6-3, 180-pound quarterback.