Pitt at Utah
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The 2010 college football season kicks off this Thursday, and one of the best games on the schedule is the No.15 Pittsburgh Panthers at the No.25 Utah Utes. The Panthers finished the 2009 season at 10-3 and were 5-2 in Big East play, but very easily could have won the conference, as they lost to West Virginia and Cincinnati by a combined four points in the final two weeks of the season. The Utes also finished the 2009 season at 10-3 overall, and finished second in the Mountain West at 7-1. Both teams head into the 2010 season with a great shot at winning their conference, and a win over a ranked team early will only help their chances, as it will build a lot of momentum to start the season.
If you are looking to bet on this game, BetUS has the Utes three-point favorites over the Panthers with the total sitting at 49.
The Panthers will look to get running back Dion Lewis off to a great start this season, as Lewis is a legit Heisman contender if the Panthers put together a strong season. The Panthers do have to start the season with a new quarterback, as sophomore Tino Sunseri is set to replace Bill Stull. The Panthers may only have six starters back on defense, but this unit figures to be one of the best defenses the Big East will feature this season, and they will get a great test against the Utes, who averaged just under 30 points a game last season.
Utah also looks to have a strong running game, as senior Eddie Wide is coming off a solid junior season, where he rushed for 1,069 yards and 12 scores. The Utes are hoping that sophomore quarterback Jordan Wynn will get off to a fast start, as he really played well starting the final five games for Utah in 2009. The big concern for Utah has to be the defense that has just four starters back, as they will have to find a way to slow down the Panthers rushing attack, if they want any chance at winning this game.
Looking at the Odds: The Utes have been one of the best home teams in college football the last two years, as they are a perfect 12-0 the past two seasons. That makes this a very difficult game to predict, as I believe the Panthers are the much more talented football team to start the season. I give the early edge to the Panthers in this one, as they have the best player on the field in Lewis, and if he gets it going, it is going to be very hard for the Utes to win this game. I think that both defenses come into the game pretty underrated, as I believe the total will go well under the 49 point mark.
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