College Football

Peach Bowl: Michigan State vs Pittsburgh 12/30/21 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

Pittsburgh Panthers (11-2) vs. Michigan State Spartans (10-2)
December 30, 2021 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Michigan State Spartans -1.5 / Pittsburgh Panthers +1.5; Over/Under: 60
(Get latest betting odds)

The Michigan State Spartans and Pittsburgh Panthers square off Thursday night in the college football Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Pittsburgh Panthers look to build on their five-game winning streak. The Michigan State Spartans look to win at least 11 games for the sixth time in school history.

The Pittsburgh Panthers have won all six non-home games this season. Kenny Pickett is completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Jordan Addison and Jared Wayne have combined for 2,133 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns, while Taysir Mack has 27 receptions. The Pittsburgh Panthers ground game is averaging 154.3 yards per contest, and Israel Abanikanda leads the way with 635 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, Pittsburgh is allowing 23.1 points and 349.2 yards per game. SirVocea Dennis leads the Pittsburgh Panthers with 76 tackles, Habakkuk Baldonado has 9 sacks and John Petrishen has 3 interceptions.

The Michigan State Spartans have won four of their last six non-home games. Payton Thorne is completing 60.8 percent of his passes for 2,886 yards, 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor have combined for 1,533 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while Tre Mosley has 30 receptions. The Michigan State Spartans ground game is averaging 186.6 yards per contest, and Kenneth Walker III leads the way with 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns. Defensively, Michigan State is allowing 25.7 points and 455.8 yards per game. Xavier Henderson leads the Michigan State Spartans with 94 tackles, Jacub Panasiuk has 6 sacks and Chester Kimbrough has 1 interception.

The Panthers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Spartans are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 neutral site games and 8-2-2 ATS in their last 12 games overall. The over is 15-6 in Panthers last 21 games overall. The over is 4-1 in Spartans last 5 games overall.

The Michigan State Spartans are going to get the benefit of the doubt here, as they’re from the better conference this season, and they’re looked at as the big, physical, nasty team. However, the Pittsburgh Panthers have been proving people wrong all season and despite a weak schedule they’re one of the best offensive teams in the country. Also, Pittsburgh’s sixth best passing offense is sure to give a 130th rated Michigan State pass defense serious issues. We’ve made money on Pittsburgh this season, and I’m not eager to step in front of this club. Give me the dog in a game Pitt likely wins outright.

Randy Chambers's Free Pick: Pittsburgh Panthers +1.5

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Randy Chambers

Randy has covered sports betting since 2014 and writes about everything from NFL to WNBA. Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter.

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