Get set for an outstanding Saturday night ACC conference clash when the Pittsburgh Panthers meet the SMU Mustangs under the bright lights of Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
The Panthers are one of eight unbeaten FBS teams, yet they are underdogs in the college football odds.
My Pittsburgh vs. SMU predictions and college football picks expect a hard-fought, physical contest in which the Panthers will cover on Saturday, November 2.
Pittsburgh vs SMU prediction and best bet
My best bet
Pittsburgh +7.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.
My analysis
The Pittsburgh Panthers are 7-0 for the first time since 1982 and one of only eight undefeated FBS teams in the country.
The Panthers offense hums behind frosh QB Eli Holstein. Pitt averages 40 points per contest, and they can beat teams with Holstein's arm or his legs. Holstein has thrown for 1,805 yards and 17 scoring strikes with an additional 286 rushing yards and three TDs.
Holstein and the Panthers are up against an opportunistic SMU Mustangs defense with 17 turnovers gained and four defensive TDs. They surrender the fourth-fewest yards (327) and points per tilt (21.7) in the conference but have allowed more than 21 points in three of its previous five.
Meanwhile, the Pitt defense might be better than its offense. They’ve surrendered an average of 14 points with 10 sacks and five picks. Pitt also allows a tidy 347 total yards, which amounts to an ACC sixth-best 22 points per game.
The Pitt stop unit will have its hands full. SMU is fourth in the ACC in scoring (39 points) behind sophomore signal-caller Kevin Jennings, and the offense averages 443.5 total yards per game.
Jennings is a dual-threat quarterback with 1,594 passing yards and 321 rushing yards. He’s accounted for 13 total TDs and has enough offensive weapons to make a preacher cuss.
But the Panthers' defense is opportunistic and aggressive enough to slow Jennings and the offense. Jennings chucked three picks in last week’s OT win against the Duke Blue Devils, and his indecisiveness and mediocre reads won’t play well against Pitt.
Holstein and the Panthers' offense has a nice rhythm and is good enough to score with SMU. Take the Panthers to cover the number on Saturday night.
Pittsburgh vs SMU same-game parlay (SGP)
Pittsburgh +7.5
Eli Holstein 2+ passing TDs
Under 57.5
I like Pitt to cover a lower-scoring game, and I like Holstein to throw two scoring strikes.
Holstein has thrown 2+ TD passes in six of his seven starts. The Mustangs’ secondary has been torched for 16 scoring strikes and 238 passing yards per tilt.
These defenses are formidable and highly opportunistic. They bend, but they don’t break much. Saturday’s clash will be a physical one, and despite the numerous highly-skilled offensive players, these defenses are the main reason Pitt and SMU are undefeated in the ACC.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Pittsburgh vs SMU odds
Pittsburgh vs SMU live odds
Pittsburgh vs SMU opening odds
- Pittsburgh vs. SMU spread: SMU -7.5
- Pittsburgh vs. SMU moneyline: Pittsburgh +240 | SMU -300
- Pittsburgh vs. SMU Over/Under: 57.5
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
Pittsburgh vs SMU spread and Over/Under analysis
- Pittsburgh is 6-1 ATS and is 2-0 ATS this season as the underdog.
- SMU is 5-2 ATS and 3-3 ATS this season as the favorite.
- Saturday's total opened as high as 62.5 (-110) but has dipped sharply to a consensus of 57.5 (-110). The stout defenses are likely to blame for the line move.
- Pittsburgh boasts an Over/Under record of 4-3-0 to the Under, while SMU is 4-3-0 to the Over this season.
Pittsburgh vs SMU betting trend to know
Pittsburgh has covered the spread in eight of their last 11 games (+4.70 Units / 39% ROI). Find more college football betting trends for Pittsburgh vs SMU.
Pittsburgh vs SMU game info
| Location: | Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX |
| Date: | Saturday, 11-2-2024 |
| Kickoff: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ACC Network |
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