It’s a bowl game in Detroit.
Yes, maybe it’s not the most exciting matchup. Maybe there will be a few empty seats in the stands. Maybe some viewers will breeze right past the channel.
But then again, it’s college football. Not to mention a chance for college football betting. And there are point spreads and prop bets and plenty else to bet on. So, with a little money and the right wager, even the Quick Lane Bowl with Pitt and Eastern Michigan can get the sweat pouring and the heart pounding.
Here’s a quick look inside Thursday’s game, along with some of the college bowl bets available at our regional sportsbooks.
Pitt looking to rebound from sluggish regular season
The Pitt Panthers finished the regular season with a 2-3 record in their last five games. Interestingly enough, Eastern Michigan also went 2-3 down the stretch.
The Panthers were surely hoping for bigger things, but will have to settle for a bowl win against a lesser opponent playing in its home state. Thursday’s game will kick off Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. at Ford Field, just 39 minutes from Eastern Michigan’s campus in Ypsilanti.
Panthers are 11-point favorites at BetRivers
Pitt (7-5) will kick off Thursday’s game as double-digit favorites according to BetRivers. The Panthers are -400 on the moneyline, while the Eagles (6-6) are +320.
BetRivers also has a number of alternate spreads posted for the game, giving players a chance to tease the spread seven points either way. Pitt lines are available from -4 to -18. Eastern Michigan’s spread has odds available from +4 to +18.
Here is a look at the latest odds on the matchup:
[odds-feed game=10249 sportsbooks=DraftKings,FanDuel,RiversCasinoPA styling=small odds=moneyline]
FanDuel has the game total set at 49 points
FanDuel Sportsbook has the Quick Lane Bowl’s over/under set at 49 points. There are also individual team totals posted for Thursday’s game. Pitt has its total set at 30 points. Eastern Michigan’s number is listed at 18.5 points.
DraftKings offering bets on first quarter and first team to score
Another way to wager on Thursday’s game is to take a look at prop bets and bets on individual quarters. DraftKings Sportsbook has Pitt’s first-quarter moneyline set at -175. Eastern Michigan’s number is +320. A tie is +390.
Pitt is -2.5 as a first-quarter favorite. The Panthers are also -210 as the first team to score. Eastern Michigan is +150.
Independence Bowl could provide same-day parlay
If you’re looking to add another game on Thursday to parlay with the Pitt/Eastern Michigan game, the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl at 4 p.m. may provide that option. In that game, the Miami Hurricanes are favored by six points over Louisiana Tech in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Later that night, the action will shift to the Quick Lane Bowl, airing at 8 p.m. on ESPN. And maybe it’s not a powerhouse matchup or a game that qualifies as must-see TV.
A few bets can provide plenty of intrigue though.
And the game may become awash with excitement after all.
