The Virginia Cavaliers (6-4, 4-2 ACC) visit the No. 19 Pittsburgh Panthers (8-2, 5-1) Saturday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Virginia vs. Pittsburgh odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Cavaliers have dropped back-to-back games, and it’s a tale of two outings. Virginia was outscored 66-49 at BYU before falling 28-3 at home against Notre Dame. Prior to the power outage against the Irish, the Hoos had scored 30 or more points in five straight.
Of course, QB Brennan Armstrong (ribs) left the BYU game late due to an injury to his ribs, and he was out for the Notre Dame game. To make matters worse, RB Wayne Taulapapa (head) was knocked out of the BYU game, and he also missed the game. Both are considered questionable for Saturday.
The Panthers outlasted North Carolina 30-23 in overtime last Thursday, playing on a short week after a 25-point win at Duke. The Panthers have had a few extra days to prepare for UVA. Pitt is 6-1 ATS across the past seven, and 8-2 ATS in 10 games overall.
Pitt can win a ninth game for the first time under head coach Pat Narduzzi, and they can clinch a second-ever ACC Coastal Division title with a win.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Virginia at Pittsburgh odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:27 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Virginia +420 (bet $100 to win $420) | Pittsburgh -600 (bet $600 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Virginia +14.5 (-110) | Pittsburgh -14.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 66.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Virginia at Pittsburgh odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Pittsburgh 39, Virginia 34
Money line
Pittsburgh (-600) will cost you six times your potential return, and that’s just too much against a Virginia (+420) team with an above-average offense very much capable of pulling the upset when its quarterback is healthy.
PASS.
Against the spread
VIRGINIA +14.5 (-110) has been hard to figure. The Cavaliers put up an amazing amount of offense at BYU, but that loss was costly.
Armstrong and Taulapapa each missed the Notre Dame game, and their importance showed in their absence.
If Armstrong plays, the Hoos cover this number easily. But it’s a big if, as the team has been super mum on his status through Saturday morning.
Over/Under
The OVER 66.5 (-108) is the play, again, if Armstrong is able to play. If the Cavaliers are forced to play with QB Jay Woolfolk under center, the offense won’t be nearly as prolific, and the Under is the play.
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