The Pitt Panthers and the West Virginia Mountaineers meet in week 3 college football action from Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pitt Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers prediction.
Pitt Panthers Recap
The Pitt Panthers come into this game looking to add on to their 45-17 win over Central Michigan last time out to sit at 2-0 on the year. After this game, Pitt will head home for a matchup with the Louisville Cardinals.
Panthers Looking To Remain Unbeaten
Eli Holstein has thrown for 519 yards, 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 70.6% passing while Desmond Reid has rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown. Juelz Goff also has 2 rushing TDs as well for the Panthers so far this season. Raphael Williams Jr. has a team-high 7 receptions for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns while Cataurus Hicks has 74 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns as well. On defense, Rasheem Biles has a team-high 15 total tackles while Kyle Louis has a pair of sacks and Zach Crothers and Joey Zelinsky each have 1.5 sacks as well this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Panthers will win
- Pittsburgh has won each of its last four games in September.
- West Virginia has lost three of its last four games.
- Pittsburgh has covered the spread in each of its last four games in September.
- West Virginia has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
West Virginia Mountaineers Recap
The West Virginia Mountaineers will be looking to rebound from their 17-10 upset loss to Ohio last time out to drop to 1-1 this season. After this game, the Mountaineers will head on the road for a game against Kansas.
Mountaineers Looking For Bounce Back Showing
Nicco Marchiol has thrown for 402 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 69.6% passing while Jahiem White has 133 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Cam Vaughn leads the Mountaineers in receiving with 9 catches for 170 yards and a touchdown while Jaden Bray has 7 grabs for 95 yards as well on the year. On defense, Fred Perry has a team-high 15 total tackles including 9 solo tackles and a sack while Chase Wilson has a team-high 3 sacks and Hammond Russell IV has 2 sacks as well on the year. As a unit, West Virginia has combined for 7 sacks and 3 interceptions so far this season.
Why the West Virginia Mountaineers will win
- West Virginia has won 24 of its last 25 games against non-conference opponents at Milan Puskar Stadium.
- Pittsburgh has lost 10 of its last 13 road games in September.
- West Virginia has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games against teams from West Virginia.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Pittsburgh’s last 12 September games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of West Virginia’s last seven games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Pitt Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Prediction
I’m on the Panthers in this one. I think that the Panthers have the better overall offense if I’m being honest, and I just favor the experience and edge at QB for Pitt with Holstein over Marchiol and while it would be a great bounce back spot for the Mountaineers at home, I don’t think the Mountaineers should even be in a bounce back spot, but that’s just how disappointing WVU has been for much of the season. I’ll side with Pitt on the road here.