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Pitt Football Favored by Narrow Margin Against Cal

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Pitt football.

Pitt continues conference play this weekend against Cal, the first matchup between the schools in decades, and the Panthers have entered the week as a narrow favorite.

Pitt is a 3-point home favorite against Cal, according to Circa Sports. The points total has been set at 57.5, which points to a lower scoring game than the Panthers have become accustomed to in recent weeks.

DraftKings has set Pitt as a 4-point favorite, with a bet to cover the spread holding -110 odds. The total point spread has been set at 59 points and the money line odds at -180 for Pitt and +150 for North Carolina.

FanDuel has set Pitt as a 3.5-point favorite, with a bet for Pitt to cover holding -115 odds. The total point spread has been set at 59.5 points and the money line odds at -170 for Pitt and +140 for North Carolina.

Pitt is ranked for the first time since the end of the 2022 season, checking in at No. 22 in the latest AP Poll, and expectations are growing. But the Panthers aren’t trying to look too far ahead.

Pat Narduzzi isn’t worried about being ranked or looking ahead to the rest of the season though; he’s focused on Cal coming to town next weekend.

“Worried about Cal,” Pat Narduzzi said Saturday afternoon. “You know, we were breaking down on beat Cal in the locker room before the dancing and celebration goes on. But we’re on to the next, we’ll enjoy this for the evening and then tomorrow morning get back to work, work on the next.”

Pitt is undefeated largely because of an offense scoring 45.6 points per game and averaging 522.2 yards per game — both of which are top six in all of FBS football. Eli Holstein has completed 113-of-172 pass attempts (65.7%) for 1,567 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions — adding 265 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

Desmond Reid has been an all-around weapon, racking up 62 carries for 347 yards and a touchdown, 24 receptions for 322 yards and four touchdowns and a 78-yard punt return touchdown.

The Pitt defense hasn’t met its lofty standards yet this season, allowing 25.2 points per game, but the unit has stepped up when it’s mattered late in games. The Panthers forced four turnover on downs against UNC.

Pitt will be back in action this weekend at Acrisure Stadium, hosting a Cal squad that suffered a controversial loss to Miami Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Eric Crabtree Fan
Eric Crabtree Fan
1 month ago

I’ll be there to witness the win. H2P.

tjpitt
tjpitt
1 month ago

This should be a good one. We’ll see how strong the Cal D really is. In the ACC, they are 3rd in least ppg and Miami was the first game where they allowed <14.

They drop to 8th (and only 12ypg better than us) in total yards per game. Also, have 11 INTs so far although 7 came in the games against UC-D and Auburn.

Offensively, they don’t seem to be that high-powered but did put up 31 on the U.

Can’t wait .. H2P !

katuracassells@gmail.com
katuracassells@gmail.com
1 month ago
Reply to  tjpitt

They are extremely suspect in pass coverage. That was evident against Miami. I don’t see them slowly down our offense at all.

Last edited 1 month ago by katuracassells@gmail.com
Chuck
Chuck
1 month ago

This feels like it’s going to be a weird game. Pitt coming off a win in a place they’ve never won, and Cal coming off a loss in what was probably an emotional game for them. Up big on Miami to then lose by 1 point. Pitt is probably in a better head space, but they need to stay grounded and not overlook anyone. Cal might be feeling like it need to prove itself, and willing to play a little too reckless.

JHoff14
JHoff14
1 month ago
Reply to  Chuck

Which means the defense needs to step up in a big way! And the offense needs to take care of the ball!

Last edited 1 month ago by JHoff14
katuracassells@gmail.com
katuracassells@gmail.com
1 month ago

They are very suspect on pass defense. We might just as well attack their secondary like Miami did. Our defensive line looks significantly better with Fitzsimmons back. Their quarterback is not nearly as impressive as ours. If we play a solid game, we will win.

Pittband
Pittband
1 month ago

Remember, remember, remember, these are 18 – 23 year old kids. Alabama with all their 4 & 5* players got beat by the Harvard of the South. It depends on who shows up mentally. What’s the report on Desmond Reid? Rodney Hampton’s return was none to soon. You need a stable of running backs and a couple of quarterbacks in today’s game.

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