Pitt has a chance to close out its non-conference schedule undefeated for the first time in program history and will do so as a heavy favorite.
Pitt has been set as a four-score favorite against Youngstown State this weekend at Acrisure Stadium. It’s the only FCS matchup that the Panthers have on the schedule this season.
FanDuel has set Pitt as a 24-point favorite, with a bet for Pitt to cover set at -110. The total point spread has been set at 59.5 points and the money line odds at -3000 for Pitt and +1200 for Kent State.
Pitt is 4-1 all-time against Youngstown State, dating back to an inaugural 41-0 win against the Penguins at Heinz Field in 2005. The Panthers took down the Penguins rather easily in 2009, but the last three contests have been much closer.
Youngstown State earned its first and only win of the series in 2012, spoiling the first game of the Paul Chryst era. The Penguins outgained the Panthers, won the turnover battle and dominated time of possession.
Pitt won each of its last two matchups by just one score, a 45-37 victory in 2015 and a 28-21 overtime win in 2017.
Youngstown State hasn’t had a strong start to the 2024 season, dropping early games against Villanova and Duquesne. The lone win this season came against Valparaiso in Week 2, but despite the early struggles, the Penguins are still ranked 25th in the most recent FCS Coaches Poll.
Pitt is coming off its second straight fourth quarter comeback, but with all due respect to Cincinnati, the 38-34 win against West Virginia meant just a little bit more.
“I love that locker room to death,” Pat Narduzzi said Saturday in his postgame presser. “Our players never gave up. I’m sure some of the fans kind of gave up, and I thought, oh, there’s no way. But our guys didn’t give up. And if you didn’t learn that from last week, then hopefully you learned it from this week. And we’ll move on to the next.
Pitt erased a 10-point deficit with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter as WVU wasn’t able to stop Eli Holstein and the Pitt offense — after limiting the Panthers to just four yards in the second half prior. Holstein threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns — and added 59 rushing yards — in another incredible performance.
A 1-yard touchdown dive by Derrick Davis Jr. with just over 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, as Holstein was on the sideline after having his helmet ripped off, clinched the massive win for the Panthers.
Pitt will look to avoid a monumental slip up against Youngstown State this weekend, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Just win by playing consistently well all 4 quarters. Forget the point spread and all the other drama.