The Pittsburgh Panthers fought to the end without Kedon Slovis in a 34-27 overtime loss to Tennessee.
The Panthers forced overtime with backup quarterback Nick Patti throwing a four-yard touchdown pass Jared Wayne on fourth down with 2:31 left in the game. Patti replaced starting quarterback Slovis in the third quarter due to an undisclosed injury. The fifth-year senior was 9-for-20 for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Pitt Panthers bettors were once again subject to another bad beat. The Panthers were 5.5 or six-point underdogs at Pennsylvania sportsbooks. Over bettors are also kicking themselves as FanDuel PA sportsbook had the total at 62.5.
Pittsburgh plays its first road game of the season on Sept. 17 at Western Michigan at 7:30 p.m. Ball State beat Western Michigan (-6.5) 30-29.
Opening lines at PA sportsbooks have the Pitt Panthers as 11-point road favorites against Western Michigan. College football Week 3 odds are available now.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Western Michigan betting lines and preview
Pitt vs. Western Michigan betting preview
- In 2021, Western Michigan beat Pitt 44-41.
- Pitt record 1-1; Western Michigan 1-1
- Pitt 0-2 ATS; Western Michigan 1-1
- Pitt 1-1 O/U; Western Michigan 1-1
- Pitt 32.5 avg points for; Western Michigan 25 avg. points for
- Pitt 32.5 avg point against; Western Michigan 325. avg. points against
Players to watch for Pittsburgh
- QB situation: Sources say Kedon Slovis was diagnosed with a concussion. His status for Week 3 is up in the air. Backup Nick Patti received medical attention for an apparent leg injury in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with a significant limp.
- Offensive line: Center Owen Drexel left in the fourth quarter with a leg injury. Losing Drexel, a fifth-year senior, would be a massive blow to the Panthers’ offensive line.
- Israel Abanikanda rushed 25 times for 154 yards for a touchdown. He added a catch for 21 yards. Pitt may have found its bell-cow running back.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Western Michigan betting insight
Though Pitt is 1-1, they put up a great fight against a ranked Tennessee team without their starting quarterback for the second half.
Max Schmerin, sportsbook manager at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, is seeing Pitt bettors still backing the Panthers.
“People still believe in Pitt,” Schmerin said. “Beating West Virignia in the Backyard Brawl really hit home for a lot of fans, just from the rivalry there. Having an SEC come in our house, that’s tough, but they showed that given the competition, they can compete. If they stayed healthy, they have a chance to win that game.”
Schmerin said 73% of the money and 74% of the tickets are on Pittsburgh to cover the -11 spread.
With Pittsburgh 0-2 against the spread, bettors are still not afraid to bet on Pitt.
“A lot of times, you have wise guys and if they don’t cover one week, they’re going to bet them to cover this week,” Schmerin said. “People are continuing to say Pitt at some point is going to have a very impressive showing and cover the spread. They’re going to continue to back them.”
Pitt Panthers 2022 schedule and results
- Pittsburgh 38, West Virginia 31
- Tennessee 34, Pittsburgh 27 (OT)
- Sept. 17: Pittsburgh vs. Western Michigan, 7:30 p.m.
- Sept. 24: Rhode Island vs. Pittsburgh
- 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
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Complete College Football Odds at PA Sportsbooks
Lead image Keith Srakocic/AP
