In a battle featuring two schools that prefer to run the football, Head Coach Pat Narduzzi and the No. 24 Pittsburgh Panthers (+5) will be taking the field against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes (-5) at Hard Rock Stadium. ESPN is scheduled to have the TV rights and this vital ACC showdown kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes
In this Saturday Atlantic Coast game, Miami (FL) has been tabbed as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 5 points. The Panthers are also receiving +180 moneyline odds while the Hurricanes are -220. If one team can catch a lucky break early it’ll produce a nice in-game betting scenario. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 50.5 points.
Odds have shifted some from where they originally opened. The opening line was -6 and the game’s total was set initially at 51.
The surprising Panthers have gained 4.8 units so far and are 7-4 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 5-5.
The Hurricanes have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 7.0 units. The team is 4-7 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-6.
The Panthers have gone 7-4 straight up (SU), including 6-1 SU against conference opponents. The Hurricanes are 6-5 SU overall and 3-4 SU in conference play.
When these two teams met last year, Pittsburgh earned the win 24-14.
The Panthers are coming off a resounding 34-13 win over Wake Forest last week. Kenny Pickett completed 23 passes on 30 attempts for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Qadree Ollison (just 52 rushing yards on 18 attempts) and Darrin Hall (44 yards on 13 carries, one TD) led the running attack while Rafael Araujo-Lopes (six receptions, 73 yards, one TD) and Maurice Ffrench (six catches, 76 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Miami (FL) is coming off of a lopsided 38-14 win over Virginia Tech. The defense allowed the Hokies to rush for 119 yards on 33 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Tre Turner had a good showing in the loss, recording a rushing TD to go along with 80 yards on four catches for Virginia Tech. For Miami (FL), N’Kosi Perry completed 21-of-34 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Travis Homer (69 rushing yards on 12 attempts) mounted the running attack while Jeff Thomas (four receptions, 32 yards) and Will Mallory (three catches, 28 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Pittsburgh has run the ball on 64.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Miami (FL) has a rush percentage of 57.4 percent. The Panthers have produced 247.5 rush yards/game (including 287.9 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 28 scores on the ground this year. The Hurricanes are totaling 188.6 rush yards per game (176.7 in conference) and have 23 total rushing TDs.
The Panthers offense has averaged 155.5 yards through the air overall (171.0 per game against conference opposition) and has 12 passing scores so far. The Hurricanes have put up 188.6 pass yards per contest (159 in the ACC) and have 19 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Pittsburgh has allowed opponents to run for an average of 163.5 yards and pass for 241.4 yards per game. The Miami (FL) D has allowed 141.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 132.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Hurricanes are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 2.86 to opposing QBs, while the Panthers have allowed a 6.72 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Pickett has put up 1,533 yards this season. The signal-caller has completed 62 percent of his 232 attempts with 11 passing scores and five interceptions. Pickett’s got a 5.44 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 12.23 over the past two games.
The Panthers have tried to control the clock by feeding their running backs early and often. Taysir Mack (381 yards, one TD) has been a recent factor in the passing game, but backfield mates Qadree Ollison (871 rush yards, seven rush TDs) and Darrin Hall (702 rush yards, eight rush TDs) have delivered in the Pittsburgh offensive scheme.
N’Kosi Perry has completed 76-of-139 passes for 872 yards, 13 TDs and five INTs for Miami (FL). His ANY/A stands at 5.36 for the season and 6.10 over his past two outings.
The Hurricanes should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. Jeff Thomas (479 receiving yards, three TDs) has gotten involved lately, but Travis Homer (771 rush yards, two rush TDs, 135 receiving yards) and Cam’ron Davis (104 rush yards, one rush TD, one receiving TD) have seen a lot of action lately.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes Free Pick
SU Winner: Miami (FL), ATS Winner: Miami (FL), O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Miami (FL) offense has lost nine fumbles this season while Pittsburgh has lost seven.
- The Miami (FL) defense has sacked opposing QBs 31 times this season. Pittsburgh has produced 27 sacks.
- Pittsburgh has averaged 7.2 yards per carry across its last three contests and 7.8 over its last two.
- Miami (FL) has averaged 5.7 yards per carry over its last three games and 4.9 over its last two.
- In its last three matches, Miami (FL) is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Pittsburgh’s last game going into it was 62.5. The under cashed in the team’s 34-13 victory over Wake Forest.
- In its last three contests, Pittsburgh is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Miami (FL)’s last matchup was 52.5. The under cashed in the 38-14 triumph over Virginia Tech.
