Pittsburgh Panthers vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction, 12/30/2021 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Panthers vs Michigan State Spartans

Date: Thursday, December 30, 2021

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Spartans (+4.5)

Total/Over-Under: 63

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the site where the Michigan State Spartans (10-2) will play the Pittsburgh Panthers (11-2) on Thursday in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Pittsburgh is 4.5-point favorites. The betting total comes in at 63.

The Pittsburgh Panthers come into this matchup with a record of 11-2 for this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Panthers faced the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and walked away with a win by a score of 45-21. Vincent Davis was the rushing leader for the Panthers with 11 attempts for 39 yards (3.5 yards per carry). Kenny Pickett went 20/33 with 253 yards passing and 2 TDs. He had a quarterback rate of 145.0 and walked away from the contest with no picks. Against the run, the Panthers gave up 82 yds on 39 tries, which averages out to 2.1 yards per rush allowed. Pittsburgh surrendered 21 completions on 46 tries for a total of 213 yds, and a completion percentage of 45.7%. When the final whistle blew, they tallied 72 plays which converted into 385 yards. The Pittsburgh Panthers ran the ball 38 different times and totaled 112 yards, which is an average of 2.9 yds per attempt.

The Panthers have tallied 6,540 total yards for the season. When it comes to notching touchdowns, Pittsburgh has compiled 43 touchdowns through the air and 25 rushing touchdowns. They have surrendered the ball 14 different times. Pittsburgh has recorded 348 first downs as an offense, and they have been flagged for 90 infractions for 865 yds. As a unit they maintain an average of 152.8 yards on the ground ranking this team at 73rd in D-1. When it comes to scoring, the Pittsburgh Panthers are averaging 43.0 PPG.

Concerning passing yards, the Panthers are allowing 3,346 yards which has them ranked 122nd in D-1. They have surrendered 257.4 yards per outing via the pass as well as giving up a completion percentage of 59.7%. In total, they are allowing 349.2 yards per contest which puts them 39th in college football. They have yielded 23 touchdowns via the pass and 16 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing an average of 2.7 yards per run and 91.8 rushing yards per game so far this year. Overall, they have given up 1,193 rushing yards through 13 outings. The Panthers sit in 43rd in college football regarding team defense, allowing 23.1 points per game.

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The Spartans step onto the field holding a record of 10-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Spartans went home victorious with a score of 30-27 when they played the Penn State Nittany Lions. Kenneth Walker III carried the ball 30 times for 138 yards, finishing the contest with 4.6 yds per attempt for Michigan State. Payton Thorne (2 TDs) finished the game with 268 yards on 19/30 through the air while his QB rate was 153.7. He had 1 pick and his average yards per pass attempt was 8.9. Michigan State gave up 26 rushing attempts for 61 yds (2.3 yards per rush). The Spartans passing defense gave up a completion rate of 67.6%, surrendering 313 yards on 23 out of 34 through the air. The Spartans finished the game with a total of 451 yards on 77 plays (5.9 yards per play). Michigan State rushed for 3.9 yds per attempt, finishing with a total of 183 yards on 47 carries.

The Michigan State Spartans are averaging 431.9 yards per outing, which has them ranked 39th in the country. The Michigan State offense has 796 penalty yds on 84 violations, which has them sitting 36th in the country in terms of giving up free yards. During the season thus far, the Spartans have compiled 2,944 passing yards along with an average of 245.3 passing yards per game, which has them ranked 56th in D-1. Concerning their scoring prowess, the Spartans currently rank 40th in college football averaging 31.9 points per outing.

Michigan State has allowed a total of 1,414 yards rushing (117.8 yards per game) as well as 10 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this year. They have conceded 26 touchdowns through the air in addition to 338.0 yards per outing, which has them ranked 130th in the nation. The Spartans defense has taken the field for 968 plays, which has them sitting 127th in college football. The Spartans are giving up 25.7 PPG, which has them ranked 61st in D-1. This year, they have surrendered 308 points.

Who will win tonight's Panthers/Spartans college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Panthers -4.5

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