Quarterback Kedon Slovis was solid in his return from injury as No.24 Pittsburgh Panthers defeated Rhode Island, 45-24. Slovis was an efficient 20-for-27 for 189 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
The final score was never in doubt for the Panthers, but they failed to cover the spread as a 32.5-point favorite against their FCS opponent. The Over of 55.5 cashed easily on Pennsylvania sportsbooks.
The Panthers controlled the game through the ground thanks to Isreal Abanikanda‘s 177 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries.
Pittsburgh opens ACC play on Oct. 1 with a home game against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are 1-3 after losing to Central Florida, 27-10. College football betting lines are available now at Pennsylvania sports betting apps. The Pittsburgh Panthers are 22-point favorites.
Pittsburgh Panthers betting odds and spread vs. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech vs. Pitt betting preview
- Pitt record 3-1; Georgia Tech record 1-3
- Pitt 1-3 ATS; Georgia Tech 3-1 ATS
- Pitt 3-1 O/U; Georgia Tech 2-2 O/U
- Pitt 36 avg points for; Georgia Tech 13.75 avg points for
- Pitt 25.5 avg points against; Georgia Tech 31.75 avg points against
Players to watch for Pittsburgh
- Kedon Slovis: Slovis was eased into action against an FCS opponent after reportedly suffering a concussion against Tennessee on Sept. 10. The Panthers are going to need Slovis to take it up a notch in their ACC opener.
- Special Teams: MJ Devonshire returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Special teams will be key for the Panthers heading into conference play.
- Offensive weapons: Slovis spread the ball around to eight different receivers and Isreal Abanikanda carried the load offensively once again.
Georgia Tech vs. Pitt Panthers betting insight
Max Schmerin, Sportsbook Manager at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, revealed that 70% of the money and 78% of the tickets are on Pitt to cover the 22.5-point spread with 89% of the money and 91% of the tickets on the over.
Georgia Tech fired head coach Geoff Collins earlier this week, but Schmerin said it hasn’t affected the way the game has been bet.
“A lot of our local guys know Georgia Tech but they don’t know them well, they haven’t been a household name or a threat to the conference,” Schmerin said.
Since this is Pitt’s opener in the ACC, this game has gotten more play than the previous two games against Western Michigan and Rhode Island, respectively.
Though Schmerin said bettors are excited for Pitt’s ACC opener, more money was bet on the Panthers’ games against West Virginia and Tennessee this season.
“For West Virginia vs. Pitt we did another 20 to 25% more in handle than we did on the Tennessee game. Georgia Tech vs. Pitt is sitting at number three,” Schmerin said. “The West Virginia game was one of the most bet college games we ever had at the sportsbook.”
Pitt Panthers 2022 schedule and results
- Pittsburgh 38, West Virginia 31
- Tennessee 34, Pittsburgh 27 (OT)
- Pittsburgh 34, Western Michigan 13
- Sept. 24: Pittsburgh 45, Rhode Island 24
- Oct. 1: Georgia Tech vs. Pittsburgh
- Oct. 8: Louisville vs. Pittsburgh
- Bye
- Oct. 22: Pittsburgh vs. Louisville
- Oct. 29: Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina
- Nov. 5: Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh
- Nov. 12: Pittsburgh vs. Virginia
- Nov. 19: Duke vs. Pittsburgh
- Nov. 26: Pittsburgh vs. Miami-Florida
College Football betting lines
Lead image Keith Srakocic/AP