Pittsburgh Panthers at Boston College Eagles
Alumni Stadium – Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Friday, September 5, 2014, 7:00 Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Boston College -1
Current Line: Pittsburgh -4
Opening Total: 53
Current Total: 49 1/2
Opening Money Line: Boston College -110 / Pittsburgh -110
Current Money Line: Pittsburgh -195 / Boston College +170

The Pittsburgh Panthers and Boston College Eagles meet for the 30th time Friday night. Pittsburgh leads the series 16-13 against Boston College but the teams haven’t played since both were in the Big East in 2004. The Panthers have won 3 straight games in the series including 20-17 in overtime in Pittsburgh in 2004.

Both Pittsburgh and Boston College opened the season last week with dominating wins over inferior opponents. Pittsburgh won at home against Delaware 62-0, and Boston College beat in-state rival Massachusetts 30-7 in Foxboro. This is the ACC opener for both Pittsburgh and Boston College.

Pittsburgh is coached by Paul Chryst. The Panthers easily covered the 24 point spread against Delaware and went over the 59.5 point total by themselves. The Panthers completely dominated the Fighting Blue Hens in every facet of the game. Pittsburgh scored 21 points in the first and second quarters to take a 42-0 lead into halftime. The Panthers would take their foot off the gas in the second half and only scored 20 points to win 62-0.

Pittsburgh racked up 501 total yards including 409 rushing yards. Delaware had only 57 total yards. The Blue Hens had three turnovers and Pittsburgh had one. The Panthers had 28 first downs to 5 for Delaware. Pitt was 7/9 on third down conversions. Delaware was 1/12 on third and fourth down conversions.

Pittsburgh quarterback Chad Voytik threw for only 84 yards but did throw two touchdown passes. Running back James Connor had 14 carries for 153 yards and 4 touchdowns. Rachid Ibrahim had 14 carries for 91 yards. Chris James had 14 carries for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns. Isaac Bennett also had a touchdown run. Tyler Boyd and Scott Orndorff each caught touchdown passes. Boyd is probable with a finger injury after missing the second half against Delaware.

Boston College is coached by Steve Addazio. The Eagles were 17 point favorites against Massachusetts last Saturday in Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium and the total was 48.5. BC could only manage two first half field goals to take a 6-0 lead into halftime. The Eagles added two touchdowns to open the third quarter to take a 20-0 lead. UMass scored late in the third to make it 20-7. Boston College added 10 points in the fourth quarter to make the final 30-7.

Boston College had 511 total yards including 338 rushing yards. BC held UMass to 202 total yards including just 55 rushing yards. The Eagles had 27 first downs and were 11/20 on third and fourth down conversions. The Minutemen had 9 first downs and were 3/12 on third and fourth down conversions. Each team had a turnover. The Eagles held possession for more than 42 minutes.

Quarterback Tyler Murphy completed 17 of 24 passes for 173 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also had 13 carries for 118 rushing yards and a touchdown. Tyler Rouse had 19 carries 87 yards. Myles Willis had 16 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Josh Bordner had 4 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Pittsburgh is 7-2-2 ATS after scoring 40 points or more, 5-2 overall, 17-8 against teams with winning records, 2-5 after allowing less than 170 passing yards, 1-3-1 after allowing 275 total yards or less, 1-4-1 in Friday games, 1-4 after allowing less than 100 passing yards, 1-5 after a cover, 0-4 after a win, and after allowing 20 points or less. The under is 5-2 in this series recently.

Boston College is 4-0 ATS at home against teams with winning road records, 6-1 on fieldturf, 5-1 at home, and against teams with winning records, 8-2 after rushing for over 200 yards, 6-2 in ACC games, 4-10 in September, 3-8 after a straight up win of 20 points or more, 1-4 after allowing less than 100 rushing yards and less than 20 points. The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games in this series.

Boston College opened as a one point favorite, but the line quickly moved to Pitt -4. Both teams were dominant on defense and racked up a ton of rushing yards last week. Obviously, they won’t put up those monster numbers against each other. I think Pittsburgh wins a close game by a field goal.

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