Pittsburgh Panthers at Iowa Hawkeyes
Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
Saturday, September 17, 2011, 12:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: (all odds courtesy of bookmaker) Iowa -3
Current Line: Iowa -3
Opening Total: 51 1/2
Current Total: 50 1/2
Opening Money Line: Iowa -155 / Pitt +135
Current Money Line: Iowa -155 / Pitt +135
Pitt is 2-0 this season under first year coach Todd Graham after home wins over Buffalo 35-16 and Maine 35-29. Iowa is 1-1 this season under Kirk Ferentz. They opened the season with a 34-7 home win against Tennessee Tech and last week lost at in-state rival Iowa St 44-41 in triple overtime. Pitt leads the overall series against Iowa 3-1, including a 21-20 win in Pittsburgh in 2008. Pitt hasn’t played at Iowa since 1951.
Pitt was up 35-15 in the fourth quarter before Maine scored two late touchdowns to make the score appear closer than it was. Maine covered the college football betting line in the 35-29 loss Pitt turned the ball over 2 times in the win and had 381 total yards including 257 passing yards. Pitt allowed 371 total yards against the Black Bears including only 37 rushing yards.
In the two games Pitt has averaged 395.5 yards a game including 177.5 rushing yards. The Panthers have given up 9 sacks and 2 turnovers so far this season. They are 13 for 30 on third and fourth downs this season. There have been some bumps in the road as the Panthers adjust to Graham’s no huddle spread offense. On defense Pitt has allowed 387 yards, including 82 rushing yards a game. They have forced one turnovers and 5 sacks this season.
Quarterback Tino Sunseri has struggled to pick up the nuances of the new offense so far. He is 37/63 passing with 403 yards, a touchdown and and 2 interceptions so far this season. Running back Ray Graham has been the star of the offense so far with 57 carries for 322 yards and 6 touchdowns, along with 7 catches for 36 yards. Zach Brown has 10 carries for 32 yards, and 2 touchdowns along with 4 catches for 34 yards. Receiver Mike Shanahan (no relation to the Redskins coach of the same name) has 9 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. Hubie Graham has 7 catches for 109 yards, and Devin Street has 8 catches for 98 yards. Kicker Kevin Harper has made 6 of 7 extra points but has struggled at field goal kicking making only 2 out of 5 kicks. He has a long of 44 yards, but has missed 3 out of four kicks from 30 yards or more.
Iowa jumped out to an early 10-0 lead last week against rival Iowa St, but ended up losing 44-41 in triple overtime. Iowa forced 3 turnovers and Iowa St had 11 penalties, but the Cyclones somehow pulled out the win. Iowa had 365 total yards including 207 passing yards. They gave up 473 yards to Iowa St.
Iowa has averaged 379.5 yards a game and 37.5 yards a game so far in two games. The Hawkeyes are averaging 226.5 yards passing, and have allowed one sack. Iowa has 2 turnovers on the season and had forced 5 turnovers on their own. Defensively, Iowa is allowing 384.5 total yards a game and 25.5 points a game. They are allowing 217.5 passing yards a game and have forced 2 sacks.
Quarterback James Vanderberg is 29/49 passing with 426 yards and 4 touchdowns with no picks. Vanderberg also has 11 carries for 32 yards and a touchdown run. Junior Marcus Coker is the leading rusher with 46 carries for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 4 catches for 23 yards. Receiver Marvin McNutt has 10 catches for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns. Keenan Davis had 7 catches, 125 yards, and a touchdown. Kicker Mike Meyer is perfect this year with 7/7 on extra points, and 6/6 on field goals with a long of 50 yards.
Pittsburgh is 0-2 against the spread this season, and the total is 1-1. The Panthers are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 on turf, 1-4-1 ATS in the last 6 as a road underdog of less than 3 points, and 0-5-1 ATS their last 6 September games. Iowa is also 0-2 ATS and the total is 1-1 as well. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 ATS in there last 4 after allowing 40+ points in the previous game, 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 overall, and 0-5 in their last 5 as a favorite.
Pittsburgh is 2-0 but the Panthers have been lucky. Iowa is 1-1 but probably should be 2-0 with all the mistakes Iowa St made last week. Pitt starts a brutal 3 game stretch with this game, as they host Notre Dame and South Florida the next two weeks. Iowa should have enough to win a close game at home as Pitt adjusts to the new offense.
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