This is a solid game to start the season off. It will be played Thursday Night, 9/2. Both teams finished 2nd in their respective conferences last season and both teams won their bowl games.
Pitt just rewarded Coach Dave Wannstedt with another nice contract. He will have to earn it this season. Pitt returns star RB Dion Lewis, but not much more on offense, losing 7 starters including their QB. This offense ran hot and cold last season. Pitt will have to develop a QB in a hurry, because they can not run the ball 90% of the time. On defense, 6 starters return from a unit that was solid last season, but had it inconsistant moments. This team gave up 17 or less points 6 times, but gave up 38 to N.C. State and 45 to Cincinnati.
Utah's team is a reversal of Pitt's. Utah returns 7 starters on offense, including QB Wynn, and RB Asiata, who was granted a 6th year of eligability after tearing up an ACL last season. Asiata was the leading rusher for Utah when the injury occurrred. The defense returns only 4 starters, and takes a major hit in the back 7. Like Pitt's defense, this unit was inconsistant last season, giving up 17 or less points in 9 games, and giving up 26 or more in the other 4.
From a wagering standpoint, this is going to be a big game. Why? Because it is on opening night for College Football, which means everyone who loves to wager on College Football will be on this game. It is one of the more attractive of the games being played on the 2nd. The MWC could possibly be out to make a statement if Utah is not gobbled up by the Pac 10's potential plans of expansion. The MWC thinks they should be a BCS Conference, and the Big East is their reason for thinking so. A win against a quality Big East team would go a long ways in promoting that argument. Caution should be used here. Utah is a notoriously slow starter, going 1-4 ATS in their last 5 openers, and 0-5 in their last 5 home openers. Pitt has the ability to beat anyone. Unfortunately they have also been known to lose to anyone. The total is anyones guess, depending on which defensive teams show up for these two teams. This is the type of game that the books love. Most of the amateurs will be out in force for day 1 of the NCAA season, and there are not a lot of games on that day. Use caution here. This may be one of those situations where your best play is no play.
SBR Top-Rated Sportsbooks
Early Game Looks. Pitt at Utah
Reply With Quote
