We better enjoy it while we can because this nasty rivalry is set to go on hiatus after the 2019 game. The politics and business side of college football are ruining traditional rivalries and this one is next. Two years ago the Penn State Nittany Lions were probably wishing they hadn’t scheduled the Pitt Panthers, with a loss to their Western Pennsylvania rival eventually costing them a spot in the CFP. The Lions made up for that defeat by pounding Pitt last season, evening the series since it resumed following a 16-year layoff.
This contest in Week 2 will go down Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET at Heinz Field. Watch the game live on ABC.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Penn State -9
Pittsburgh +9
Over/Under 57
Odds Analysis
We’ve seen sporadic movement, but the line has returned to its opening of Penn State -9. The teams pushed the spread in last year’s game and the visitors are getting over 53 percent of the early action. The betting public likes the under on a total of 57, but these teams can score and PSU did little on defense last week.
Player to Watch
Saquon Barkley is gone to the NFL with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, but that doesn’t mean the Lions are without playmakers. Trace McSorley was just as much of a game wrecker last season and the offense is all his now. He showed signs of developing into a passer last season and the offense blossomed. His yards per completion were down, but his percentage skyrocketed and he led the Big Ten in passing yards per game.
Don’t be fooled though, McSorley can still run when he needs and wants to. He rushed for 53 yards and a pair of touchdowns while throwing for 229 yards and a score to stave off Appalachian State’s upset bid last week. It was his masterful work to force overtime that was Heisman-worthy, though. Taking the field with 1:47 left and down by seven, McSorley drove the Lions 48 yards, tying the game on a scoring pass to K.J. Hamler.
Last Meeting
With four future NFL draft picks on their roster, the Nittany Lions blitzed Pitt last year, avenging a devastating loss from the 2016 season with a 33-14 victory that looked more lopsided on the scoreboard than it did on the field. Penn State’s best players were the best players, and that’s why they are in the NFL. Barkley ran for 88 yards and a touchdown averaging 6.3 yards per carry and added 45 yards on four catches for another score. Mike Gesicki scored the game’s first two touchdowns on four of his total receptions, giving PSU an early lead it never let go.
The Panthers didn’t play poorly and they actually outgained PSU 342-312 while holding a huge edge in time of possession. But just like the entire 2017 season unraveled for Pitt, so did this game. Three turnovers thwarted drives and three other possessions deep in Penn State territory netted only three points. Pitt just couldn’t get out of its own way.
Key Stat
28 – Penn State was expected to have some growing pains on defense with the loss of several key starters and an influx of freshman. That was the case last week. The Lions had a seemingly comfortable 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the unit cracked allowing over 250 yards and 28 points in the final stanza.
The 38 total points were the most Penn State had allowed to an unranked non-conference opponent since 1995.
Free ATS Pick
It typically takes a few games to figure out where a team stands after losing so much talent, and the Nittany Lions are definitely in that spot. An innocent opener that was supposed to be in the bag turned into a dogfight, but PSU avoided the upset and came away with a win. We know the Lions can score, but can the defense pick things up?
The group couldn’t solve App State and now it gets Pitt’s dynamic sophomore Kenny Pickett, who tore up FCS Albany last week with two scoring passes and another on the ground. However, facing Penn State is much different than the Great Danes, and I believe he’ll have problems. Rivalry games are always unpredictable and that’s why I’ll take the points with Pitt and the points on the board to exceed the total.
College Football Odds: Penn State 34, Pitt 27
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
