Cal vs Pitt Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Pitt has been a quietly great surprise so far with clutch wins over Cincinnati, West Virginia, and North Carolina with the offense finding its groove.

It survived the tough early portion and now gets four of the next five games at home - including Clemson - before going to Louisville.

Cal has been fun, but the tough loss at Florida State stalled the momentum. And then came … that.

The team blew a monster lead in the 39-38 shocker of a loss to Miami in what would’ve been a program-changer.

After this, four of the next five games are at home. But the Panthers need to turn this around fast after, again … that.

Cal vs Pitt Preview

Cal vs Pitt How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
How to Watch: ESPN
Pitt (5-0), Cal (3-2)

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Why Cal Will Win

SLOWWWWWWWW it down, Cal.

The running game has too many good parts to not be better, the defense is great at taking the ball away, and the pass rush is solid enough to be okay against the high-powered Pitt passing game.

The Panthers are explosive, and they work fast, but the only keep control of the ball for around 25 minutes per game.

Cal didn’t exactly run out of gas against Miami, but it lost control of the game. Pitt should give up over four yards per carry as long as the Bears keep pounding away. On the road, the goal is to keep this close until late.

And this week, take the air out of the ball if the offense manages to get going early.

Why Pitt Will Win

Eli Holstein has been fantastic.

The Pitt passing game hasn’t always been accurate this season but it’s explosive, clutch, and it’s hitting at least three touchdown passes in every game. He’ll get his yards, but it’s the other side that should take over.

Cal’s offensive line has been a problem. It hasn’t been good enough for the ground game, it’s awful in pass protection, and Pitt’s pass rush should take over.

The defensive line playmakers might not be there like they were in previous seasons, but this bunch can get behind the line.

Cal vs Pitt: Who Will Win

Cal can’t do this without takeaways.

Beating UC Davis and San Diego State weren’t any big deal, but it stunned Auburn 21-14 because of the five takeaways and +5 turnover margin.

It was +2 against UC Davis, +1 against SDSU, and even in the loss to Florida State, and even in the loss to Miami.

Pitt is +4 on the season and has only lost the turnover battle once - it was -1 last week against North Carolina. The turnover margin should be close to even, if not in Pitt’s favor.

Cal vs Pitt Prediction, Betting Lines

Pitt 31, Cal 27
Line: Pitt -3.5, o/u: 58.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Cal vs Pitt Must See Rating: 3

Week 7 CFN Expert Picks
Northwestern at Maryland | UNLV at Utah St
Utah at Arizona St | South Carolina at Alabama
Washington at Iowa | Texas vs Oklahoma
Penn State at USC | Stanford at Notre Dame
Arizona at BYU | Florida at Tennessee
Ohio State at Oregon | Ole Miss at LSU
Kansas St at Colorado | Boise St at Hawaii