Week 2 College Football: Pitt Panthers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats – Revenge Match in the Queen City
The Matchup:
Week 2 of the college football season sees the Pitt Panthers travel to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats in a noon kickoff. The Bearcats enter as slight favorites, laying 2 points with the total set at 59 at Wagerweb Sportsbook. Both teams kicked off their seasons with expected wins against weaker opponents: Pitt dominated Kent State 55-24, while Cincinnati cruised past Towson 38-20.
This game serves as a rematch of last year’s encounter in Pittsburgh, where Cincinnati pulled off a 27-21 upset as 7-point underdogs. The Panthers will undoubtedly be seeking revenge.
Team Histories and Current Outlook:
Both programs are looking to rebound from disappointing 3-9 records in 2023. This marks a significant decline from their recent success: Cincinnati reached the College Football Playoff in 2021 and won 9 games in 2022, while Pitt secured 11 and 9 wins in those same years, respectively.
Despite the poor record, Cincinnati’s 2023 season wasn’t as disastrous as it seems. It was their first year in the challenging Big 12 conference, and they held their own against some solid teams. They lost by only 2 touchdowns to Oklahoma and had close games with BYU and Baylor, with only three of their losses being lopsided.
The Bearcats return 8 starters on offense and 7 on defense under second-year coach Scott Satterfield, suggesting potential for improvement.
Prediction: Under 60
While the side is a toss-up (remembering that revenge can be a powerful motivator for Pitt), we’re focusing on the total. We believe this number is inflated and anticipate a game closer to last year’s 27-21 outcome. Both teams will likely be more focused on defense and controlling the clock, leading to a lower-scoring affair.
Our Pick: UNDER 60 (Betonline)