Per betting sites consensus, Pitt is a 5 pt favorite (down from 5.5 days ago) and the over/under score is 65 pts. Put both together (I suppose that's OK), and you get a 35-30 Pitts victory.
Actually, I find surprising how close they view the game. Granted, NU did end the season stronger than it started. But still NU's best win was against an underwhelming IOA, which has lost 4 times this season, including 3 in the B1G. NU next best win was against 4-5 (6-6) Indy, and then Ill (only 2 conf wins) and Purdue, MSU and Duke, each with a single conference win. On top of that, NU lost all its games against top teams, plus against a mediocre Minny and a possibly overrated WMU. And of course NU lost to an FCS team with a non-winning conference record.
Not impressive at all!
By contrast,not only is Pitts a top 25 team. Their "signature" win was the only loss of No. 3 Clemson! They also beat No. 5 PSU, as well as (4-4, 8-4) Ga Tech, plus several weaker teams, including FCS-#9 Villanova. Their losses were against #13 OkSt, #18 VA Tech, Mia and NC (both finished 5-3, 8-4). Without questions, a far more impressive resume!
Finally, against the only common opponent, Duke, NU won a relatively close game (24-13), whereas Pitts obliterated the Devils 56-14.
The only question is WHY on earth is Pitts only a 5-pt fave.
Actually, I find surprising how close they view the game. Granted, NU did end the season stronger than it started. But still NU's best win was against an underwhelming IOA, which has lost 4 times this season, including 3 in the B1G. NU next best win was against 4-5 (6-6) Indy, and then Ill (only 2 conf wins) and Purdue, MSU and Duke, each with a single conference win. On top of that, NU lost all its games against top teams, plus against a mediocre Minny and a possibly overrated WMU. And of course NU lost to an FCS team with a non-winning conference record.
Not impressive at all!
By contrast,not only is Pitts a top 25 team. Their "signature" win was the only loss of No. 3 Clemson! They also beat No. 5 PSU, as well as (4-4, 8-4) Ga Tech, plus several weaker teams, including FCS-#9 Villanova. Their losses were against #13 OkSt, #18 VA Tech, Mia and NC (both finished 5-3, 8-4). Without questions, a far more impressive resume!
Finally, against the only common opponent, Duke, NU won a relatively close game (24-13), whereas Pitts obliterated the Devils 56-14.
The only question is WHY on earth is Pitts only a 5-pt fave.