Cardinals vs Panthers NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The Louisville Cardinals and Pittsburgh Panthers will square off in a key Big East battle this Saturday. Louisville comes into this one with a perfect 5-0 record on the year. The Cardinals have made their way up to number 16 in the rankings.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
Heinz Field
Saturday October 13, 11:00 AM EST on ESPNU
College Football Betting Odds from TopBet.eu
Moneyline: Louisville (-145) Pittsburgh (+125)
College Football Spread: Louisville -3 (-110) vs. Pittsburgh +3 (-110)
Over/Under: 49
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Pittsburgh is just 2-3 on the year, but they do have a big upset win over Virginia Tech at home. This one gets underway bright and early Saturday morning!
Louisville
Louisville is 5-0, but it hasn’t been easy for the Cardinals this year. Louisville has won their last three games by a touchdown or less. They’ll be up against a dangerous opponent this weekend.
Last year, Pittsburgh upset Louisville on the road, and the Cardinals will be looking for revenge in this one.
Teddy Bridgewater gives the Cardinals a star at the quarterback spot. Bridgewater has a 73 percent completion percentage this season. He has eight touchdown passes and only three interceptions on the season.
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The Cardinals offense is much more balanced this year thanks to running backs Seniorise Perry and Jeremy Wright.
This was a team that couldn’t run the ball last year at all. Louisville is averaging 31 points per game this season.
The Cardinals defense was good a year ago, and they are very solid again this year. Louisville ranks 25th in the nation in total defense. They have allowed 21 points or less in four of their five games this year.
This unit will be tested a bit more in the coming weeks, so we will see how they can do against high quality competition.
Pittsburgh
Paul Chryst took over for Todd Graham at Pitt this year. Chryst had been a terrific coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers for many years. The Panthers lost a tough game at Syracuse 14-13 last weekend.
Tino Sunseri has taken a lot of heat during his time at Pittsburgh, but he is putting together easily his best season so far this year. Sunseri has completed 69 percent of his passes, and he has eight touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. It always helps to have a star runner like Ray Graham in the backfield. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Graham is averaging 4.7 yards per carry, and he is looking healthier each game.
The Panthers are 33rd in the nation in total offense.
Pittsburgh’s defense is much improved from a year ago. This is a team that was shredded on quite a few different occasions last year, but they have been solid this season. The secondary as been especially good. The Panthers are giving up only 185 yards per game through the air.
They’ll be tested in a big way by Bridgewater this week.
How will they hold up?
Louisville is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Pittsburgh is also 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games against teams with a winning record.
This looks like a good spot for an upset. I like the home underdog here.
Free College Football Pick: Pittsburgh +3
