Penn State vs. Pitt Total Pick
Will in-state rivals, No. 13 Penn State and Pittsburgh, find themselves in an offensive showcase when the two collide on Saturday at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
385 Penn State at 386 Pittsburgh
Saturday, September 8, 2018
8PM ET – Heinz Field
TV: ABC
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Penn State is favored on the road, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -9 points against Pittsburgh. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 56 points. The public betting for this game currently has 63 percent going on Penn State on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Penn State gets scare in opener
Penn State got a big scare in its opener last week when it needed overtime to beat Appalachian State, 45-38. The Nittany Lions were a 24-point favorite coming into the game and easily went over the 54-point total. Penn State has hit the over in four straight games.
PSU actually had to score a TD in the final minute to force OT with the Mountaineers, but then held strong in OT. Penn State finished with 434 yards of offense while allowing 451 yards to Appalachian State. Trace McSorley threw for 229 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 53 yards and two scores. Miles Sanders established himself as the new lead back, rushing for 91 yards on 19 carries.
Pitt rolls over Albany
Pittsburgh got off to a nice start to the season, defeating Albany 33-7 at home last weekend. The Panthers were unable to cover the 26.5-point spread in the win and went under the 43.5-point total. Pitt has hit the under in three straight games.
Pitt was able to control the line of scrimmage in the win over the Great Danes. The Panthers rushed for 238 yards and held Albany to just 60 on the ground. Qadree Ollison led the ground game with 73 yards on seven carries while two others rushed for over 40 yards. Kenny Pickett was one of those two, as he had 42 yards on the ground and 154 passing yards. He threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another.
College Football Betting Trends
Penn State
Penn State has hit the over in seven of its last nine non-conference games and in 11 of its last 15 road games.
Pittsburgh
Pitt has hit the under in eight of its last 10 games and in five straight against a winning team.
Prediction:
These two have split the over/under in their two meetings over the last two years, but they had a 42-39 showdown two years ago at Heinz Field. I can see this game being similar. Penn State showed last week that its defense is susceptible and could have some struggles with the Pitt offense. I expect PSU to be able to move the ball well on Pitt, as the Nittany Lions still have good athletes and the Pitt defense was pretty awful last year.
College Football Prediction: Penn State/Pittsburgh Over 56