Clemson Tigers vs
Pittsburgh PanthersPredictions & Preview

Clemson Tigers to Face Off Against Pittsburgh Panthers in Critical ACC Showdown: Can Pitt Pull Off an Upset?

As the ACC football season winds down, a critical matchup is set to take place on Saturday between the Clemson Tigers (7-2, 6-1 ACC) and the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2, 3-2 ACC). Pitt currently holds a 3-2-0 head-to-head advantage, with their most recent victory coming in 2021 with a score of 27-17. Both teams have been in good form recently, with key personnel on each side contributing to their success. The upcoming game is set to take place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA, with Clemson opening as the -9.5 betting favorite, and the current line sitting at Clemson -10. Stay tuned for my Clemson vs. Pittsburgh picks and predictions on the side and total as kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 ET.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Tigers -375 | Panthers +300
• Spread: Tigers -10 (-110) | Panthers +10 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 53.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Clemson will win straight-up is 79%.

Clemson vs Pittsburgh Stats

Clemson Tigers

Clemson Tigers led by Coach Dabo Swinney are currently 7-2 (6-1 ACC) and ranked 20th in the CFP rankings. Despite high expectations, they are currently on the outside looking in for the 12-team playoff. They are priced at +250 to make the CFP and -350 to miss. Recent form shows a bounce back win after a loss to Louisville, with a victory over Virginia Tech. Offensively, Cade Klubnik has been impressive with 2,275 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, with Antonio Williams as his top target. Phil Mafah has led the rushing attack with 981 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, Clemson ranks in the top third under coordinator Wes Goodwin, allowing 23.1 points per game and 336.7 yards per contest. In power rankings, Clemson is 18th overall, with a strong offense ranked 4th and a defense in the middle of the pack at 60th. They are currently 6-2 (4-4 ATS) this season.

Pittsburgh Panthers Analysis

Coach Pat Narduzzi is in his 10th season with the Pittsburgh Panthers football program, leading the team to a 7-2 start. Although they began the season strong with a perfect 7-0 record, they have since dropped their last two games against #20 SMU and Virginia. The team faces upcoming challenges against #20 Clemson and #19 Louisville before finishing the season against Boston College. Quarterback Eli Holstein has had a solid season, with 2,174 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, along with contributions in the rushing game. Desmon Reid leads the rushing attack, while Konata Mumpfield is the top receiver. Defensively, the team ranks 70th, allowing 26.1 points and 368.0 yards per game. The Panthers have a power ranking of 38 and are ranked #6 for offense, scoring an average of 40.86 points per game, and #51 for defense, giving up an average of 22.00 points per game. Clemson has struggled in recent matchups against Pittsburgh, going 1-2.

Pittsburgh Primed to Upset Clemson in ACC Showdown

The upcoming ACC matchup scheduled for Saturday afternoon presents an opportunity for an exciting game, with a potential for a close outcome. In this instance, my preference is to back Pittsburgh as the home team. Despite facing their most challenging opponents, the Panthers have a track record of keeping games competitive, with just one loss by double digits out of nine contests. On the other hand, I have reservations about Clemson's performance, particularly their defense which ranks 46th in the nation by allowing an average of 23.1 points per game. Given these factors, I believe that if Pittsburgh can reach a score in the 20s, they stand a good chance of covering the spread in this matchup.

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