Big East Football Previews – West Virginia Mountaineers vs Pittsburgh Panthers
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Mountaineers at Panthers Matchup
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Date/Time: Friday, Nov 26 12 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Broadcast: ABC
Mountaineers at Panthers Lines by BetUs.com
Pointspread: Panthers -2 ½
Over/Under: 41
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The Big East Conference title could be on the line when the West Virginia Mountaineers cross the state line to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers in the annual ‘Backyard Brawl’ this upcoming Friday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast live on ABC.
West Virginia shrugged off back-to-back losses to Syracuse and Connecticut with a 37-10 win over Cincinnati as a five-point home favorite and a 17-10 win over Louisville as a 3 ½ point road favorite in its last two games. The total stayed ‘under’ in both of these games. The wins moved the Mountaineers to 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS for the season. They are 3-2 SU in the Big East.
West Virginia’s defense has been dominant this season, giving up an average of just 12.9 points per game which ranks it fourth in the country. However, the Mountaineer’s offensive production has been inconsistent at best; averaging 25 points a game which ranks it 79th among Division IA schools.
Their QB, sophomore Geno Smith has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 2,003 yards and 19 touchdowns. His has a pair of favorite receivers in Tavon Austin and Jock Sanders. These two have combined for 99 receptions for 1,072 yards and nine TD’s. RB Noel Devine is the team’s leading rusher with 828 yards on 184 carries.
Pittsburgh’s season has not gone according to script with four losses this year, but the Panthers have a chance to make up for much of that disappointment with a win against their bitter rivals this week. As an added bonus to this already heated affair, the winner takes one step closer to clinching the Big East conference title and a spot in the BCS Bowl Series.
A victory in this game and a win next week against Cincinnati would lock up the title for the Panthers, while a West Virginia win along with a win next week over Rutgers would put the Mountaineers in the driver seat for the title.
Pittsburgh comes into this game with an overall record of 6-4 straight-up and is 5-3-2 against the spread. The Panthers are 4-1 SU in conference play. The primary strength of this team has been a stingy defense that is only giving up an average of 19.2 points per game. The Panthers’ offense is ranked 57th in the nation in scoring; averaging 27.7 points per game.
Sophomore quarterback Tino Sunseri has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,034 yards and 14 touchdowns. Team leaders include WR Jon Baldwin, who has 42 receptions for 677 yards and five TD’s and RB Ray Graham, who has 804 yards rushing on 120 carries and 10 TD’s.
West Virginia is 2-2 both SU and ATS in its four games on the road this season. The total has stayed ‘under’ in six over its last seven games overall.
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in five home games this season and 3-2 ATS. The total has gone ‘over’ in six of its last 10 games overall.
Head-to-head, West Virginia has won five of the last eight games SU and is also 5-3 ATS. Two years ago, Pitt won 19-15 as a three-point home underdog and last season the Mountaineers won 19-16 as a one-point home favorite.
Given the strength of these two team’s defenses and the intense animosity they have for one another, expect another low-scoring, tight contest that goes down to the bitter end. The home team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven games, so give the 2 ½ points and stick with Panthers in this year’s edition of the ‘Backyard Brawl’.
The Pick: Pittsburgh – 2 ½.
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David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.
