Pittsburgh Panthers vs
Cincinnati BearcatsPredictions & Preview

Cincinnati Bearcats Favored to Continue Dominance Over Pittsburgh Panthers in Highly Anticipated Showdown

The Pittsburgh Panthers and Cincinnati Bearcats, former Big East rivals, will meet again for the first time since 2013. Cincinnati won last season's matchup and is favored to win this year's game, with the spread opening at -1.5 and now at Cincinnati -2. The Bearcats have won the last three meetings and will look to continue their success at home on September 7th at Nippert Stadium.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Panthers +105 | Bearcats -125
• Spread: Panthers +2 (-110) | Bearcats -2 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 62.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Cincinnati will win straight-up is 56%.

Pittsburgh vs Cincinnati Stats

Pittsburgh Panthers

The Pitt Panthers had a tough season in 2023, going 3-9 after a successful 9-4 season the year before. Head Coach Pat Narduzzi is looking to bounce back and made changes, including bringing in a new Offensive Coordinator, Kade Bell. In their first game of the season, the Panthers showed impressive offensive performance, defeating Kent State 55-24 and covering the spread. Freshman QB Eli Holstein had a standout game, throwing for 336 yards and 3 touchdowns. RB Desmond Reid and WR Kenny Johnson also had standout performances. The defense, with new personnel, held Kent State to minimal yardage, showing promise for the season ahead. Currently, Pitt is ranked 87th with a strong offense and defense performance, and are 1-0 this season.

Cincinnati Bearcats Analysis

In their first season in the BIG12, Cincinnati struggled to find success, only winning one conference game and finishing the season with a 3-9 record. However, second year coach Scott Satterfield has made significant roster changes in the offseason, bringing in new talent such as QB Brenden Sorsby and RB Evan Pryor. In their first game of the season against Towson, the additions showed promise as Sorsby threw for 383 yards and ran for two touchdowns, while Pryor rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown. Despite the offensive improvements, the defense remains a concern after allowing 438 yards against Towson. The upcoming game against Pitt will be a valuable test for the Bearcats to gauge their progress. Defensive Lineman Donte Corleone, who was previously injured, has been cleared to return to play. With a current power ranking of 115, Cincinnati's offense ranks (#) and defense ranks (#), with a record of 1-0 (0-1 ATS). Pitt has a recent history of success against Cincinnati, winning their last 3 matchups.

Pittsburgh Poised to Upset Cincinnati in Upcoming Game as Defense Shows Promise

This upcoming game will feature two teams with notable similarities, particularly in terms of new faces on the offense and defenses that are still a work in progress following previous struggles. The initial line for the game, favoring the Cincinnati Bearcats by a slim 2 points, reflects the perceived advantage of playing at home. However, closer inspection reveals that the Pittsburgh side may hold more value. Their defense showed impressive progress in week 1, indicating a potential advantage that could allow their offensive playmakers to excel. Notably, Pittsburgh's defense significantly limited Kent State's offensive production in their previous game, while Cincinnati struggled to contain Towson. With Pitt's improved defensive capabilities and experienced coaching under Pat Narduzzi, there is a strong possibility for a turnaround from last season's challenges. Bettors may find value in taking Pittsburgh with the points, as they are primed to surprise many with their performance in this game.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ]