The Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5) and Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-6) tangle in the Quick Lane Bowl Thursday. Kickoff at Ford Field in Detroit is set for 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pittsburgh-Eastern Michigan odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.
Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan: Three things you need to know
1. Pittsburgh’s bowl history goes all the way back to the 1927 Rose Bowl, a game it lost 7-6 to Stanford. The Panthers also fell to Stanford 31-24 in the Sun Bowl last season. They’ll be more than happy to face anyone else. This will be Pitt’s first-ever bowl game vs. a Mid-American Conference foe.
2. Eastern Michigan makes the short jaunt from Ypsilanti to downtown Detroit for its fourth bowl game in school history. The Eagles are 1-2 all-time, falling last season to Georgia Southern in the Camellia Bowl in Birmingham. Their only bowl win was back in 1987 in the California Bowl vs. San Jose State, 30-27.
3. Pitt is 5-1 against the spread in the past six non-conference games, and 4-1 ATS in the past five vs. MAC opponents. EMU is 17-5 ATS in the past 22 non-conference games, and 17-8 ATS in the past 25 vs. winning teams.
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Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Pittsburgh 26, Eastern Michigan 17
Moneyline (ML)
Pitt (-435) had a so-so offense this season, but the defense was super stout. As such, the Panthers are expected to roll to a victory against the boys from Eastern Michigan (+325). Even so, the Panthers are just too expensive, when having to risk more than four times your return, especially since this game is right down Interstate 94 from Ypsi.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Pitt to win outright would return a profit of just $2.30.
Against the Spread (ATS)
EASTERN MICHIGAN (+11.5, -110) likely isn’t going to win this game, but it is the Eagles’ national championship game. It’s primetime. It’s in their home state. And they have the passing attack to hang with most marginal Power 5 teams, for which Pittsburgh (-11.5, -110) certainly qualifies.
The Eagles were 29th in passing yards per game at 279.7, while posting 29.1 points per game to rank 64th in the land. EMU also has DB Brody Hoying, cousin of former Ohio State standouts Bobby Hoying and Ross Homan, patrolling the secondary. He led the team with four interceptions.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 49.5 (-115) is going to be a strong play for me in this one, also included perhaps as a part of a three-team teaser. The Under is 28-10-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 39 games overall, and 7-1 in the past eight as a favorite. The defense will dictate the pace of the game.
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