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College Football

Tennessee Volunteers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish
Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

The Tennessee Volunteers and the Pittsburgh Panthers hook up Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ABC.

Updated on 04/25/2024
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TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS vs. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS BETTING PREDICTION

The Volunteers made rather quick work of the visiting Ball State Cardinals last week, rushing for 218 yards while passing for 351 yards in the lopsided 59-10 win and cover. Oddly enough, it was a Ball State field with just 2:55 left which OVER bettors were most grateful, as that made a total of 69 points, just inching things across the finish line with a total of 67.

The Panthers received a much more stern test from rivalry West Virginia in the resumption of the Backyard Brawl rivalry. Pitt was actually tied with WVU 10-10 at the break, and the Mountaineers led 17-10 early in the third quarter, and 31-24 early in the fourth quarter. QB Kedon Slovis and the Panthers offense kept providing answers, and it was a pick-six by Aliquippa, Pa. native CB Marlin Devonshire with 2:58 to go which sent the home crowd into a frenzy, and gave Pitt the thrilling victory.

These teams have met three prior times, all in Tennessee, and the Panthers have come away with victories in each of the meetings. The clubs met Sept. 11, 2021 last season, and Pittsburgh won 41-34 in a game very similar to last weekend's West Virginia win.

This game opened with Tennessee as a 3-point favorite against ranked Pittsburgh, and now the Panthers are catching anywhere from 6.5 to a flat 7. It's quite tempting to take the points, and playing Pitt lightly on the money line at +195 to +205 is definitely warranted, too.

Score Prediction: Pittsburgh 34, Tennessee 29
Best Bet: Pittsburgh +7 (-115)

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS vs. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds | CFP Central

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS vs. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022
Matchup: SEC vs. ACC
Venue: Acrisure Stadium
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Time-TV: ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Volunteers led last week by a 17-0 score after one quarter, the Vols were up 38-0 at halftime, and Tennessee held a 45-0 lead midway through the third quarter before Ball State was finally able to get onto the board. If only every wager could be that easy. They're likely to get quite a bit more of a test in the Steel City, and the line is rather curious considering UT is on the road, Pitt is ranked, and the Panthers have never a game in the series.

UT QB Hendon Hooker was a one-man wrecking crew against Ball State, completing 18-of-25 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while rushing for two more scores. Tennessee also piled up five rushing touchdowns, and will likely try and establish the run against Pittsburgh, too.

The Vols hit the OVER last week, and that's a theme with UT lately. Tennessee has cashed the OVER in seven straight games dating back to last season, while going 5-0 in the past five non-conference tilts, and six in a row against the ACC. The OVER is also 4-0 in the previous four games on the road, and 4-1 in the past five following a SU win.

Tennessee is 0-3 all-time against Pittsburgh. (Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Panthers are definitely the more battle-tested team on the field at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. That's because it was involved in a seesaw battle, going through the gamut of emotions against a rival last week, while the Vols essentially had a walkthrough. Advantage Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh won 38-31, but it was anything but perfect. The Panthers were gouged for 190 yards on the ground by the Mountaineers, and Pitt had eight penalties for 76 yards, so they'll need much better discipline against another tougher foe here. Pitt was bottled up for just 2.0 yards per rushing attempt, too, totaling 76 yards on 38 carries. WVU also led 23-to-19 in the first-down department, so that will give you a little better indication of why Vegas feels UT should be favored.

Still, Pitt missed the cover thanks to the seven and a hook. That's usually good for the next week, as Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in the past five games following an ATS loss. And the Panthers are 11-5 ATS in the past 16 games overall.

As far as totals are concerned, like UT, it's all OVER all the time for Pitt. The OVER is 9-2 in the past 11 at Acrisure, formerly Heinz Field, while going 7-1 in the past eight non-conference tussles. The OVER is 5-0 in the past five in September, too, while going 16-7 in the past 23 games overall for the Panthers.

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS vs. PITTSBURGH PANTHERS BETTING TRENDS

  • Tennessee is 2-6 ATS in the past eight vs. ACC teams.
  • Tennessee is 6-13 ATS in the past 19 games on grass.
  • Tennessee is 0-4 ATS in the past four following a SU win.
  • Tennessee is 16-36-1 ATS in the past 53 following a cover.
  • Pittsburgh is 11-5 ATS in the past 16 games overall.
  • Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in the past five following a non-cover.
  • OVER is 7-0 in the past seven games overall for Tennessee.
  • OVER is 6-0 in the past six vs. ACC teams for Tennessee.
  • OVER is 5-0 in the past five non-conference games for Tennessee.
  • OVER is 4-0 in the past four road games for Tennessee.
  • OVER is 9-2 in the past 11 home games for Pittsburgh.
  • OVER is 7-1 in the past eight non-conference games for Pittsburgh.
  • OVER is 5-0 in the past five September games for Pittsburgh.

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Daniel Dobish

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish
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