Miami Hurricanes (9-0 SU, 5-4 ATS) vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (4-5 SU, 3-4 ATS)
College Football Week 13
Date and Time: Friday, November 24th, 2017 12:00 PM ET
Where: Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA
TV:ABC
by Keith F., Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: MIA -14/PITT +14
Over/Under Total: OFF
The ACC Coastal Champions the Miami Hurricanes will square off with the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field in the Steel City on Friday, November 24th, 2017 at 12:00 PM ET. The contest will be aired for national audiences on ABC. For Miami, as mentioned they have already punched their ticket to the ACC Championship Game to face off with Clemson on December 2nd. The Hurricanes come in off a scare when the Virginia Cavaliers came to town last Saturday. The Hurricanes trailed by as much as two touchdowns against the Hoos after coming in off perhaps one of the most impressive victories across America in Week 11 when they routed the then ranked #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 41-8 at home. Previous to this, the Canes had blown the Virginia Tech Hokies out of Miami in the week before the Notre Dame affair. The Pittsburgh Panthers lost to VT in Blacksburg last week in a 20-14 outcome. In this conference clash, the Hurricanes have won nine of the previous ten meetings overall. Last year, Miami demolished Pitt at home by a score of 51-28 in November of 2016. Miami is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between the two.
Once again the trends are not as pertinent as the set up here for Miami to find itself entrenched in yet another dogfight. The Panthers are likely not making a bowl game this year be that they have already lost seven games. However, a win here can change that. Typically, this was the time of year that Pitt looked forward to facing a former arch nemesis West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. That rivalry has since been dissolved and this is the closest thing Pitt can get to such an event. This is their postseason as it is their last game of the year with those implications on the line. Furthermore, it is a last hurrah for the seniors as it will be at home with their faithful supporters packing out the spectacular Heinz Field.
Pittsburgh has a propensity for shocking teams that sleep on them. You can ask Miamis opponent in the ACC Championship about that one last year, when Pitt upset Clemson in Death Valley in 2016. The loss would be Clemsons sole defeat of the season in what ended up being a campaign marked by a National Championship. Pitt also defeated 2016 B1G Champion Penn State. This year, Pitt does not have such a track record to varnish their name but they have a historical record of playing the spoiler. A loss for Miami would send them tumbling out of the College Football Playoff discussion likely. Thus, the market is not inflated as you can normally expect it to be because Pittsburgh does have shock and awe potential.
Currently in this market, the consensus have taken an early shine to the Hurricanes. Such an effect is likely to produced given what Miami has achieved all season long on the heels of their results in the rivalry game against Virginia Tech and the renewal of the Catholics vs. Convicts feud. As a result of leaning by the public on The U, the asking price for Miami has risen by half of a point already.
This scenario typifies the traditional look-ahead spot that can be disastrous for the team doing the looking ahead. For Miami, the Hurricanes know if they get past Clemson they are in the College Football Playoff. Given the fact this is a team that at one point had trouble getting by Florida State on an annual basis, the Canes have come a long way. Last Saturday against Virginia was a taste of what could happen if Miami takes their eye off the ball. The Canes had the benefit of playing that one in Coral Gables. This environment is far more hostile and far brisker compared to what they are normally accustomed to. Miami should be able to get by Pittsburgh but it wont be an easy one and certainly there is no merit in spotting this kind of lumber when there is a chance we may have a live dog lying in wait.
Keiths Pick to Cover the Point Spread: PITT +14. Not all sportsbooks are created equal! Many are fly by night, poorly run and your loot is actually at risk. End that problem today by signing up at one of the web’s oldest and most trusted sportsbooks! Online for over 15 years, your credit card will work and you’ll also receive a 50% bonus up to $250 FREE at Bovada Sportsbook!
