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No. 24 Tennessee vs. No. 17 Pitt Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 2

By Josh Yourish

Kedon Slovis (9) of the Pittsburgh Panthers
Kedon Slovis (9) of the Pittsburgh Panthers / Michael Longo/For USA Today Network /
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Pitt is coming off of the first Backyard Brawl in 11 years right into a top 25 matchup with an SEC opponent. The Panthers loaded non-conference start to the season continues at Acrisure Stadium this weekend. Pat Narduzzi’s team did not look the same without Kenny Pickett last week, but come into Week 2 much more battle tested than the Volunteers. 

These two played last season and Pitt took that game down in Knoxville, 41-34. 

Tennessee vs. Pitt Odds, Spread and Total

Pitt and Tennessee Betting Trends

  • Pitt is 0-1 ATS this season
  • Tennessee is 1-0 ATS this season
  • Pitt was never a home underdog in 2021
  • Tennessee was 1-0 ATS in 2021 as a road favorite

Tennessee vs. Pitt Prediction and Pick

Hendon Hooker led Tennessee to a very big win last week against Ball State, but Ball State was an under .500 team a year ago. Yet, that win was enough to vault Josh Heupel’s team into the AP Top 25 and nearly a touchdown favorite on the road against last year’s ACC Champs. 

Though Pitt is clearly not the same team without Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison. The Panthers escaped with a win in the Backyard Brawl last Thursday, but despite not covering the spread against a potentially bad West Virginia team, I think that was positive for Pitt. The Panthers are now battle tested in a close game, their defense was able to make a few big plays, and they found something with Rodney Hammond Jr. out of the backfield. 

Kedon Slovis threw for 309 yards and a touchdown last week, but the Volunteers have the advantage under center. Hendon Hooker threw for two touchdowns and ran in another pair. He is more dynamic and that will help Tennessee. 

I don’t think Pitt played its best last week and it still was able to beat its rival. It doesn’t matter to me how good WVU was last year, in a rivalry game it will almost always be close. Pat Narduzzi learned more about his team than Heupel did about his. I like Pitt getting nearly a touchdown and think the Panthers can win outright at home. 

Pick: Pitt +6.5 (-106)

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