2024 NCAAF Cheat Sheet: Pittsburgh Panthers Stats & Odds

Can the Pittsburgh Panthers Have More Bite Than Bark During the 2024 Season?

The 2023 numbers left much to be desired for the Pittsburgh Panthers after Pittsburgh finished ahead of only Wake Forest in the 2023 ACC standings.

Pittsburgh was just 1-3 outright against ranked teams and 1-5 as the underdog. The Panthers lost all three of its games a season ago following a win and failed to cover in each of those matchups.

There weren’t many positive numbers for Pittsburgh during the 2023 season with the possible exception of a 4-2 record against the spread at home so that is something to keep in mind when it comes to the 2024 Pittsburgh Panthers stats.

The Panthers failed to cover in all five of its games on the road. All teams strive for consistency but going 2-4 ATS both as a favorite and as an underdog as was the case for the 2023 Pittsburgh Panthers wasn’t what they had in mind.

Pittsburgh was tied for third in the ACC with eight of its games landing over the total during the 2023 season.

The Panthers finished last in the ACC in both total offense and scoring offense so it is clear where the focus needs to be heading into the 2024 season.

At A Glance

Is It Bad News That Some Top Offensive Players Are Gone for Pitt?

While Pat Narduzzi returns for his 10th season as the Pittsburgh head coach, he has a brand new offensive staff led by offensive coordinator Kade Bell. He is one of four Western Carolina assistant coaches hired by Narduzzi. Pittsburgh had four straight winning seasons before last year’s 3-9 debacle so it is risky to write the Panthers off after one down season.

Nate Yarnell was one of three quarterbacks to play for the Panthers last season. Former Alabama recruit Eli Holstein will join him as the top two quarterbacks from last season have left.

When projecting the 2024 Pittsburgh Panthers stats, running back Rodney Hammond could be ready to break out after three solid but unspectacular seasons.

Leading receiver Bub Means is now with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. Perhaps San Diego State transfer Raphael Williams will help.

Eight of the top 12 incoming transfers are on defense.

Championship Odds: Panthers Aren’t Ready to Feast Just Yet

Pittsburgh did pick up one of its three wins during the 2023 season against a ranked Louisville team. That was one of the few highlights last season.

The 247sports.com database ranked Pittsburgh’s incoming transfer class and recruiting class both as No. 9 among ACC teams, so we have yet to see what impact the newcomers will have.

The jury is out about how much that the non-conference games against Kent State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and Youngstown State will prepare the Panthers for the conference slate. The NCAAF lines list the Panthers as 23.5-point favorites against Kent State in the Aug. 31 season opener.

This entrance to Pittsburgh never gets old‼️😎#H2P pic.twitter.com/Dx9tRbcu1x

— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) July 13, 2024

Conference Odds: Plenty of Work To Be Done

The Conference play begins against North Carolina for the second season in a row. That didn’t work out so well in 2023 with the Tar Heels rolling to a 41-24 victory.

Next up is a showdown with ACC newcomer California. After a bye week, Syracuse comes to town. Those are a pair of key games for the Panthers as it would be helpful for Pittsburgh to have a winning record in ACC play before facing Virginia and Southern Methodist in the next two games.

When it comes to the college football picks, things get serious after that with back-to-back matchups with Clemson and Louisville, teams projected to be ACC title contenders. The regular season wraps up with a trip to Boston College. One of Pitt’s two ACC wins last season came against the Eagles.

Regular Season Wins: Non-Conference Success Will Be Crucial

When looking at the 2024 Pittsburgh Panthers stats, there’s not one game on the conference portion of the schedule where Pittsburgh will be the overwhelming favorite.

Only Wake Forest and Duke are behind Pittsburgh in Athlon’s ACC preseason preview and the Panthers don’t play either of those teams so wins might be hard to come by in the ACC.

If Pittsburgh manages to win three of its four non-conference matchups, perhaps there will be a chance for the Panthers to make a run at a six-win regular season and a bowl game.

We would tread very carefully when going with Pittsburgh to go over 5.5 wins.

To Make Playoffs: A Bowl Win and Winning Season Is a Better Goal

People easily forget that Pittsburgh won the ACC championship just three years ago.

However, that championship run has not translated into recruiting success as the Panthers haven’t had a recruiting class rated higher than eighth over the last three seasons.

The incoming transfer classes have been underwhelming as well so it is hard to see Pittsburgh making enough noise in the ACC to be in contention for one of the 12 spots in the College Football Playoff field.

Side Bets

Quarterback Kenny Pickett finished third in the 2021 Heisman Trophy voting. It is hard to project any members of the 2024 Pittsburgh Panthers making that much of an impact in the Heisman Trophy odds.

Redshirt Sophomore quarterback Nate Yarnell has a big arm but he has only seen extended action in three games in his first two seasons at Pittsburgh.

It might be a better move to look at the 52.5-point total in the season opener against Kent State considering how many of Pittsburgh’s 2023 games went over the total. Seven of Pittsburgh’s nine non-conference games over the last two seasons went over the total.

For NCAAF picks, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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