Boston College Eagles vs Pittsburgh Panthers Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

Boston College Eagles vs Pittsburgh Panthers November 30th 2024

The Boston College Eagles are the -4 point favorites as they host the Pittsburgh Panthers in a week 14 matchup at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill (MA). Kick-off is set for 3:00 ET, and the game can be seen on CW. The over/under line is currently 48.5 points. The money line odds have Boston College at -178 and Pittsburgh at +147. Boston College enters the game with a 6-5 record, while Pittsburgh is 7-4 on the season.

Pittsburgh vs. Boston College Key Information

At 7-4, Pittsburgh is guaranteed bowl eligibility, but they have no chance of winning the Atlantic Coast. They are 4-2 at home and 2-2 on the road this season. The Panthers have been favored in five of their 11 games and are 4-1 as the favorite.

Pittsburgh’s ATS record is 6-4, with a +6.5 average scoring margin. They are 4-2 against the spread at home and 2-2 on the road, going 3-2 as the favorite and 3-2 as the underdog.

The Panthers’ over/under record is 3-7, with their games averaging 58.7 points. This week’s line is 48.5 points, and their average over/under line this season has been 58.5 points.

Pittsburgh’s offense ranks 30th in points per game, scoring 32.6 per contest, heading into week 14. They are 68th in our offensive power rankings. Their passing game is their strength, ranking 12th in attempts and 15th in completions, averaging 275.8 yards per game.

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Eli Holstein has thrown for 2,228 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has a passer rating of 95 and a completion rate of 61.9%. On the ground, Desmond Reid has 797 rushing yards, averaging 5 yards per carry. Konata Mumpfield leads the receivers with 669 yards and four touchdowns.

Pittsburgh’s defense struggled in their recent game against Louisville, giving up 37 points and allowing 507 total yards. The Cardinals rushed for 214 yards on 43 attempts and threw for 293 yards, completing 17 passes.

On the season, Pittsburgh ranks 32nd nationally in rushing defense, allowing 116.8 yards per game. However, they’ve given up 258.7 passing yards per game, ranking 144th, and quarterbacks have posted an 87.8 passer rating against them.

Boston College enters Week 14 with a 6-5 record, hosting Pittsburgh. They’ve been strong at home, going 4-1, and are 3-0 as the favorite this season. Despite a 0% chance of winning the Atlantic Coast, they are 100% bowl-eligible. The Eagles are ranked 50th in our power rankings.

Boston College has a +4.6 average scoring margin and a 6-4 record against the spread. They’ve covered as the underdog in five of seven games (5-2 ATS) but are 1-2 ATS as the favorite.

Their over/under record is 5-5, with an average line of 50.8 points. This week’s line is set at 48.5, and their games have averaged 53 points per contest.

Boston College’s offense is averaging 28.8 points per game heading into week 14, placing them 50th nationally. They rank 54th in our offensive power rankings. The Eagles have focused on their running game, averaging 41 rushing attempts per game, which ranks 14th, and they are gaining 185.2 rushing yards per game.

Kye Robichaux leads the rushing attack with 654 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4 yards per carry. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos has thrown for 1,366 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 113. Lewis Bond leads the receivers with 545 yards and three touchdowns on 55 catches.

Boston College’s defense heads into this week’s matchup ranked 48th nationally, allowing 24.2 points per game. They’ve given up 242.2 passing yards per game, ranking 124th, and 123.2 rushing yards per game, which is 42nd in the country. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 76.7 against Boston College, completing 61.4% of their passes.

In their recent game, Boston College allowed just 21 points and 212 total yards, including only 36 rushing yards on 25 attempts. They also forced three interceptions while giving up 176 passing yards.

Our projections have Pittsburgh winning this week 14 matchup against Boston College by a score of 24-22. With Pittsburgh coming in as the +4 point underdogs, we like their chances to not only win but also cover the spread.

For the over/under, with the line sitting at 48.5 points, we recommend taking the under, as our projections have these teams combining for just 46 points.

Boston College Eyes Strong Finish Against Struggling Pitt

Boston College looks to cap its regular season on a high note when it hosts Pittsburgh on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The Eagles (6-5, 3-4 ACC) have already secured bowl eligibility for the second straight year, but they’re aiming to close with a third win in four games. Meanwhile, the Panthers (7-4, 3-4) are reeling, having dropped four consecutive contests.

Eagles Building Momentum

Boston College is on an upward trajectory, fueled by an impressive 41-21 victory over North Carolina last week. The win highlighted the continued evolution of the Eagles’ offense under new quarterback Grayson James, who stepped in after the midseason departure of Thomas Castellanos.

James, a transfer from FIU, showcased his dual-threat ability with 192 passing yards, a touchdown through the air, and another on the ground. Wide receiver Lewis Bond emerged as a favorite target, hauling in a career-high nine catches for 81 yards, while freshman Johnathan Montague grabbed his first career touchdown.

Head coach Bill O’Brien praised James’ rapid development:
“He’s seeing it all in the game. The more reps he gets, the more improvement you’ll see. He works very, very hard.”

With a chance to secure their first seven-win regular season since 2018, the Eagles are motivated to end strong against a physical Pitt squad.

Pitt’s Struggles Continue

The Panthers are limping into this matchup, dealing with injuries and a tough stretch that includes a 37-9 loss to Louisville last week. Pitt has struggled mightily since their Oct. 24 win over Syracuse, with issues at quarterback adding to their woes.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries. After missing a game against Clemson, Holstein was carted off the field early in the Louisville game with a leg injury. However, head coach Pat Narduzzi offered some optimism:
“It’s not season-ending. It’s not as bad as the one that he took a week ago.”

Backup Nate Yarnell has stepped in during Holstein’s absences, with mixed results. Yarnell threw for 350 yards against Clemson but managed just 96 yards and a touchdown last week, as the Panthers were outgained 507-265 and trailed 27-0 before their first score. Three interceptions compounded the team’s offensive struggles.

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Key Matchups

1. Grayson James vs. Pitt’s Defense
   James has provided a spark for Boston College, but he’ll face a tough challenge against a physical Pitt defense. The Panthers will look to pressure the young quarterback and force mistakes.
2. Pitt’s Ground Game vs. BC’s Front Seven
   Injuries have left Pitt thin at quarterback, making their rushing attack critical. Boston College’s defense will need to contain the Panthers’ ground game to keep them one-dimensional.
3. Turnover Battle
   With Pitt’s quarterbacks struggling to protect the ball, Boston College has an opportunity to capitalize on mistakes. The Eagles will need to stay disciplined to avoid giving the Panthers any momentum.

What’s at Stake

• Boston College: A win would mark their first seven-win regular season in five years and set the stage for a stronger bowl appearance.
• Pitt: The Panthers are looking to snap their four-game skid and build some confidence heading into the offseason.

Prediction

With Boston College riding high after securing bowl eligibility and Pitt battling injuries and inconsistency, the Eagles have the upper hand. If Grayson James continues his steady play and the defense limits Pitt’s offense, BC should close the regular season with a victory.

Kickoff is set for Saturday afternoon in what promises to be a pivotal game for both programs.