The Tennessee Volunteers (1-0) and Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) meet Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Tennessee at Pittsburgh odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Volunteers paddled Ball State by a 59-10 count at Neyland Stadium last weekend. Tennessee built a 38-0 lead by halftime, and finished with 218 rushing yards while and 351 passing yards. Tennessee was also plus-2 in the turnover department.
The Panthers received a much sterner test, eventually easing by visiting West Virginia 38-31 in the renewal of “The Backyard Brawl” rivalry. Pitt trailed 31-24 with 10:37 to go, but scored a 24-yard TD pass to tie it with 3:41 remaining, then a pick-6 by DB Marlin Devonshire for 56 yards with 2:58 left.
Pittsburgh has won all 3 meetings in this series, including 41-34 last season in Knoxville. This is the first time Pitt is the home team in this series.
Pittsburgh is No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Tennessee at Pittsburgh odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Tennessee -205 (bet $205 to win $100) | Pittsburgh +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Against the spread (ATS): Tennessee -5.5 (-108) | Pittsburgh +5.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 64.5 (O: -117 | U: -103)
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Tennessee at Pittsburgh picks and predictions
Prediction
Pittsburgh 41, Tennessee 38
Money line
PITTSBURGH (+170) found a way to get it done after trailing late in last week’s opener. The defending ACC champions were tested in a close game, and grabbed a victory.
Tennessee is a road favorite against a ranked team it has never beaten and lost to at home last season. It’s a curious line to say the least. The Vols had an easy time last week with Ball State, and it remains to be seen how they will fare in a close game.
Pitt is being underrated because it struggled against a West Virginia team picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big 12. But the Panthers are home, and will ease by the Vols just like it eased by the Mountaineers.
Against the spread
PITTSBURGH +5.5 (-108) is a good play at home catching 5½ points. Truth be told, I like the money line much better. But if you don’t trust QB Kedon Slovis – who transferred in from USC – to be as effective as he was last week, take the points, as it is a safer play.
Tennessee is just 2-6 ATS in the past eight tries against ACC teams, and 0-3 straight up all-time vs. Pitt.
Over/Under
OVER 64.5 (-117) seems like a rather high number, but both of these teams have the potential to make this a track meet.
Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker was outstanding last week, albeit against an inferior opponent. He passed for 221 yards and 2 TDs, while running for 2 more scores. That wasn’t an anomaly, though, as he was very special last season as well.
Slovis and the Panthers posted 38 points in their win, and this is setting up to be a rather high-scoring affair with the team holding the ball last getting the video game-like victory.
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