The Miami Hurricanes are looking for their first win in more than a month this week when they host the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Hurricanes fell by a late field goal to Notre Dame last Saturday and are in desperate need of a win right now.
The team is 2-2 at home and will enter as the slight favorites in this Week 10 contest against the Panthers. Pittsburgh comes into this one with a record of 5-3 and put up a good fight against Virginia Tech last week, falling 39-36 in another ACC matchup. Both sides are trying to make a push toward bowl eligibility.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 10 game is set for Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Pittsburgh +3.5
Miami -3.5
Over/Under 59.5
Odds Analysis
The Panthers are slight underdogs but the majority of the bettors believe they aren’t getting enough credit. Pittsburgh is getting 55 percent of the early money to cover in this matchup.
The scoring total seems pegged pretty accurately as 57 percent of the action is choosing the “under” but it seems this one could be close to that number.
Miami is 4-4 when trying to cover the spread, including a 4-2 mark as the favorite.
Pittsburgh is 4-4 against the spread on the year and will aim for its third cover in four tries as an underdog.
Matchup to Watch
Pittsburgh’s Nathan Peterman and James Conner against the stout Miami defense. This will be the key to the game no doubt.
The Hurricanes defense has held teams to a stingy 18.9 points a game, tied for the 16th best in the nation for points against. The Pittsburgh offense, on the other hand, is averaging 38.1 points a game right now behind quarterback Peterman and running back Conner.
The pair is coming off a big game last week where Peterman threw for 278 yards with a touchdown and an interception and Conner carried the ball 19 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers will try and carry that momentum with them into Miami Gardens this week.
Key Stat
Four. That’s how many games this Miami team has lost in a row after starting off a perfect 4-0. Miami will be eager not to let the season drop below .500 on Saturday.
The Hurricanes are slight favorites but will certainly need to play tough to win over the Panthers, even with home field advantage. The question is what has the four-game skid done to Miami, especially considering the tight loss to Notre Dame last week?
Has it lit a fire under a team that showed promise back early on or taken the wind out of the Hurricanes sails? The answer to that will determine a lot in this one.
Free ATS Pick
Miami has lost several close games lately and still has an impressive point differential. The Hurricanes are averaging 32.9 points while only giving up 18.9, and that portends well for this showdown.
While Pittsburgh has a better record, its defense has been significantly worse than Miami’s. That could be the biggest factor in the game. The offenses seem pretty similar but the Hurricanes should be able to slow down the Panthers.
Miami’s long drought should finally end in this one. The Hurricanes are slight favorites, and even though the 3.5-point spread is enticing since Pitt would cover if the game is decided by a field goal, pick Miami to take care of business and cover.
Miami is better than its record would suggest and it will show that in a game against a team that isn’t quite its equal. The “under” is also the sensible pick as the Hurricanes defense should play well.
College Football Odds: Miami 27, Pittsburgh 21
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