Western Michigan Broncos vs Pittsburgh Panthers Prediction, 9/18/2021 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Western Michigan Broncos vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Date: Saturday, September 18, 2021

Location: Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ESPN3

Odds/Point Spread: Panthers (-14.5)

Total/Over-Under: 57.5

The Western Michigan Broncos (1-1) are hitting the road to Heinz Field on Saturday where they will meet the Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0). Pittsburgh opens this matchup as 14.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total is 57.5.

The Western Michigan Broncos head into this game 1-1 for this season. In their last contest, the Broncos took on the Illinois State Redbirds and took home the win by a score of 28-0. Kaleb Eleby went 15/21 with 174 yards through the air and 1 touchdown. He had a QB rating of 156.7 and finished the contest with no interceptions. La'darius Jefferson was the rushing leader for the Broncos with 18 attempts for 106 yds (5.9 yds per carry). When all was said and done, they had 73 plays which converted into 407 yards. The Western Michigan Broncos ran the ball a total of 51 times and tallied 233 yds, which is an average of 4.6 yds per carry. On the ground, the Broncos conceded 28 yards on 26 attempts, which is an average of 1.1 yds per run allowed. Western Michigan gave up 8 completions on 19 tries for a total of 29 yards, and a completion percentage of 42.1%.

Regarding getting in the endzone, the Western Michigan Broncos are averaging 21.0 points per outing. As a team they're averaging 176.0 yards via the ground game which has them sitting 46th in the nation. The Broncos have racked up 717 total yards over the course of this year. In terms of notching touchdowns, Western Michigan has totaled 2 passing touchdowns and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Western Michigan has a total of 41 1st downs as an offense, and they have been called for 6 penalties for 50 yards.

When talking about yards via the pass, the Broncos have allowed 245 yds which has them sitting in 35th in Division 1. They have yielded 122.5 yards per contest through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 58.3%. Over the course of this year, they have surrendered 304.0 yards per contest which ranks them 77th in Division 1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 5.3 yards per tote and 181.5 yards on the ground per contest on the year. Over the course of this year, they have given up 363 yards via the running game in 2 games. The Broncos sit in 89th in D-1 concerning team defense, giving up 23.5 points per game.

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The Panthers head into this game 2-0 this year. The last time they took the field, the Panthers went home victorious with a score of 41-34 when they faced the Tennessee Volunteers. Kenny Pickett (2 touchdowns) finished the contest with 285 yards on 24/36 passing while his QB rate was 151.5. He didn't toss any picks and his average yards per pass attempt was 7.9. Vincent Davis carried the ball 19 times for 33 yds, finishing the game with 1.7 yards per attempt for Pittsburgh. The Panthers finished the contest with 397 yds and they ran 82 plays (4.8 yds per play). Pittsburgh rushed for 2.1 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 96 yards on 45 carries. Pittsburgh relinquished 33 rushing attempts for 136 yds (4.1 yds per rush). The Panthers passing defense allowed a completion rate of 66.7%, relinquishing 238 yards on 22 for 33 through the air.

The Pittsburgh Panthers have an average of 497.0 yards per game, which has them sitting 19th in the country. The Pittsburgh offense has racked up 106 penalty yards on 12 infractions, which is 55th in Division 1 in terms of giving up free yards. During this campaign to this point, the Panthers currently sit at 676 passing yards along with holding an average of 338.0 passing yards per outing, which ranks 10th in the nation. Regarding the points being put on the board, the Panthers are ranking 14th in college football holding an average of 46.0 points per game.

The Panthers are giving up 20.5 PPG, which has them sitting 69th in the nation. Pittsburgh has allowed a total of 178 rushing yards (89.0 yards per outing) as well as 3 touchdowns via the rush for the campaign. Over the course of the season, they have relinquished 41 total points. They have conceded 2 touchdowns through the air in addition to 202.5 yards/game, ranking them 93rd in Division 1. The Panthers defense has been on the field for 124 plays, which is good for 67th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Panthers -14.5

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