Pittsburgh Panthers vs. SMU Mustangs: Preview, Odds, and Predictions for Saturday’s ACC Clash

The highly anticipated college football matchup between the No. 18 Pittsburgh Panthers and the No. 20 SMU Mustangs is set to take place on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas. This ACC conference game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

Pittsburgh, currently undefeated with a 7-0 record, faces a significant test against the 7-1 SMU Mustangs. The Panthers, led by freshman quarterback Eli Holstein, have been impressive this season, averaging 40 points per game. Holstein has thrown for 1,805 yards and 17 touchdowns, and also contributed 286 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

SMU, under the leadership of quarterback Kevin Jennings, who has been dealing with injuries but is expected to start, has also had a strong season. The Mustangs are averaging 39.1 points per game and have a robust defense that ranks fourth in the ACC in both scoring and total defense. They have been particularly effective in the running game, ranking 24th in rushing offense and fourth in rushing defense.

The betting odds favor SMU by 7.5 points, with an over/under of 56.5 points. Despite being underdogs, Pittsburgh has a strong record against the spread, going 6-1 this season and covering as underdogs twice. SMU, however, has failed to cover as favorites in three games this season.

Analysts predict a hard-fought and physical game, with many suggesting that Pittsburgh could cover the spread. The model at SportsLine, which has a strong track record of college football predictions, leans towards the over and suggests that one side of the spread hits well over 60% of the time.

The historical context adds an interesting layer to this matchup, as SMU leads the all-time series 3-2-1. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2012, when SMU won a close game in the Cotton Bowl.

This game has significant College Football Playoff implications, making it a crucial contest for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the 2024 season.