Pittsburgh vs SMU Predictions: Bet Panthers for ATS Pick 11/2
- Even though Pittsburgh is the higher-ranked team, SMU is favored in this game because it is the home team.
- Because Pittsburgh is the underdog, it creates an excellent opportunity for college football betting lines.
- Two of the top offenses in the ACC, which leans this game toward betting the over.
While the ACC might feel top-heavy this season, No. 18 Pittsburgh (7-0, 3-0) and No. 20 SMU (7-1, 4-0) are two teams that have a chance to turn college football predictions on its head. SMU will host Pittsburgh in a matchup between two teams ranked in the Top 25, with the winner remaining a top challenger in the conference.
Even though Pitt’s offense has been the reason for most of its wins this season, the defense stepped up last week with five interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. The Panthers dominated Syracuse, winning 41-13 after bolting to a 31-0 lead at halftime.
However, SMU had a much tougher time in its last game. The Mustangs narrowly pulled off a 28-27 overtime win over Duke despite turning over the ball six times, needing to block a game-winning field goal and stop a two-point conversion. They are at home, which has led the BetUS sportsbook to favor the Mustangs.
Pittsburgh vs SMU Game Information
- Game: Pittsburgh (7-0, 3-0 ACC) vs. SMU (7-1, 4-0)
- Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
- Day/Time: Saturday, Nov. 2, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Pittsburgh vs SMU Live Stream: ACC Network
Pittsburgh vs SMU Odds and Spread
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Pittsburgh vs SMU Betting Preview
Advantage to Underdogs
Surprisingly, Pitt is the underdog in this game. The Panthers are undefeated, the higher-ranked team and coming off an impressive win. On the other hand, SMU struggled to beat Duke, needing a great special teams play and a solid goal-line stand to make up for all of its turnovers.
It is essential to look at the last game for each team, which might be an outlier but has a chance to affect this matchup. SMU headlined college football news with six turnovers in the win over Duke,. The Mustangs fumbled the ball three times while quarterback Kevin Jennings threw three interceptions. He also fumbled four times, two of which were recovered by Duke.
Congrats to Kyle Louis for being named to the Bednarik Award Midseason Watch List‼️@K_009r already has compiled 60 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 3 interceptions & a forced fumble… 🦈
Read more: https://t.co/KwuuvqDe5B pic.twitter.com/GFfJTsxmG1
— Pitt Panthers (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) October 29, 2024
Pitt won last week because it forced interceptions on Syracuse’s first three drives, with two returned for a touchdown. Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles, and Braylan Lovelace all had pick-sixes. Since SMU quarterback Jennings had a tough game last week with interceptions, there is a chance the Panthers could use that to their advantage.
Pitt’s defense has not been special this season, allowing 349.4 yards and 22 points per game. But in the last two games, the Panthers have allowed 28 total points, and the defense is trending in the right direction at the perfect time for this matchup.
In addition, Pitt is one of the best teams to back when looking at college football spreads. The Panthers have covered the spread in all but one game this season. The only time they didn’t cover was two weeks ago, in a 17-15 win over California while being favored by 3½ points.
Furthermore, Pitt has not been an underdog since Sept. 14. However, with the defensive improvement and a solid offense, the Panthers have a legitimate chance of winning this game outright and will likely cover the spread for online betting.
Two Offenses Ready to Score
While this is an exciting game because of the matchup between two top teams in the ACC, it also comes with the element of being potentially high-scoring. According to the Pittsburgh vs SMU stats, these offenses are two of the best in the ACC. SMU is fifth in yards (443.5) and fourth in points (39.1) per game while Pitt is sixth (443.1) and third (40.9).
It’s #TouchdownTuesday with Brashard Smith’s OT TD to secure No. 22 SMU’s 4th conference dub and to improve to 7-1 overall with a 28-27 win over Duke 💪@SMUFB | @SMUMustangs | #PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/NO3qHhQps5
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 29, 2024
The difference is how these teams want to beat you. The Mustangs want to keep their running game going behind Brashard Smith. Smith has rushed for 745 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He has a big game against Duke with 26 carries for 117 yards and two scores.
Then there are the Panthers, who move the ball through the air instead. Eli Holstein has passed for 1,805 yards and 17 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Because of the big lead that the defense helped the Panthers get to last week, Holstein only needed to pass the ball 15 times, with 11 completions, for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Given that both teams will put up points, it makes sense to back the over in college football picks. Plus, because we are already backing Pitt to win this matchup, it makes sense that its offense will have a good game. That only increases the chances of the over being hit.
Bet on Pittsburgh vs SMU at BetUS Sportsbook!
Questions Of The Day
Is there a player prop to pay attention to in this game?
After Eli Holstein didn’t need to put up big numbers last week, that should change against SMU.
Why is Pittsburgh the underdog in this game?
Even though Pittsburgh has gotten off to a hot start, it will be on the road, and it seems the sportsbook doesn’t fully have faith in the team yet.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets
