The No. 12 Pittsburgh Panthers (11-2) meet the No. 10 Michigan State Spartans (10-2) Thursday for the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
This game looks like a tasty matchup on the surface, but unfortunately for football fans, Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett — a Heisman Trophy finalist — will skip the bowl to prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft. Backup QB Nick Patti will be under center.
Pitt WR Tysir Mack, who posted 27 grabs for 461 yards and 3 touchdowns, has also opted out. He was third in receiving yardage this season. Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple also left the team, taking over at Nebraska in the same capacity. CB Damarri Mathis has also opted out.
Star RB Kenneth Walker III has opted out for Michigan State, also in preparation for the draft. However, WR Jalen Nailor will play in Atlanta. The Spartans head into this game just 2-2 SU/ATS across their last four games while hitting the Over in four of their last five outings.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Pittsburgh +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Michigan State -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pittsburgh +2.5 (+105) | Michigan State -2.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State odds, lines, picks and predictions
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Prediction
Michigan State 30, Pittsburgh 23
Money line
MICHIGAN STATE (-155) will have to make do without Walker in the backfield, but at least QB Payton Thorne and Nailor will be in the lineup.
Pittsburgh was tremendous defensively this season, especially against the run, but if the D had an Achilles’ heel, it was against the pass. Pitt allowed 257.4 yards per game through the air, which ranked 107th nationally, and that’s how MSU will win this game.
Against the spread
The lean is to MICHIGAN STATE -2.5 (-130), as Pittsburgh just has too many losses. Mathis is gone, a top cover man for the Panthers, they’ll have to break in a backup QB who will be learning from an interim OC. It’s not a formula that will work for the Panthers.
Over/Under
The UNDER 56.5 (-112) is the way to go here. The Under is 4-1 in the last five for Pittsburgh in neutral-site games, and again, they will be using a backup QB.
Michigan State has hit the Over in four of its last five, but its home-run hitter has opted out, too. It won’t be a defensive slog, but this game isn’t going to be a track meet, either.
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