Last Updated on January 8, 2011 1:30 pm by drew
BBVA Compass Bowl Odds
BIRMINGHAM, AL (TheSpread) – Prior to the NFL Playoffs kicking off, the 2011 BBVA Compass Bowl takes place at Noon ET with Pittsburgh facing off with Kentucky.
View Current College Football Bowl Odds
Pittsburgh is 7-5 on the season and 6-4-2 against the point spread odds while Kentucky is 6-6 on the year and 6-6 against the point spread odds. Trends show that Kentucky is 12-3-1 against the point spread odds in their last 16 non-conference games while Pittsburgh is just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 bowl games.
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook Sportsbook.com have given Pittsburgh point spread odds of -4 against Kentucky on Saturday. The over/under total has been set at 52.5 points. (View Matchup)
Opening odds had Pittsburgh favored by 3 points. The spread has slowly worked its way up to 4 points throughout the month. The over/under total opened at 53.5 points and dipped to as low as 51.5 points before closing at 52.5.
Pittsburgh has had an odd month since ending the season. It first decided to part ways with head coach Dave Wannstedt and the Panthers then hired Miami (Ohio) coach Mike Haywood, who coached the RedHawks to a MAC Championship. Weeks later, Haywood was let go by Pitt after he was arrested for domestic violence after the new year. Still, the Panthers are prepared to play the bowl game with an interim staff and the Panthers are a team that averaged 26.3 points per game on offense while allowing just 19.8 points per game on defense. The team was led by quarterback Tino Sunseri, who threw for 2,476 yards and 15 touchdowns while running back Dion Lewis has rushed for 956 yards and 12 scores.
Kentucky lost its season finale and only had one win come against a ranked opponent this season. The Wildcats averaged an impressive 33 points and 437 yards per game on offense, but they also allowed 28.5 points per game on defense. Quarterback Mike Hartline has thrown for over 3,000 yards, but he has been suspended for the game. Morgan Newton will handle the QB duties and he has thrown just seven passes on the season.
In terms of injuries, Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline is out for the game because of a suspension while Pittsburgh defensive linemen Myles Caragein and Jabaal Sheard are both doubtful with injuries.
Over 34,700 public bets have been placed on this game with Kentucky getting 59% of the wagers with point spread odds of +4 against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
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