(1-1)Western Michigan @ (2-0) Pitt Pitt (-15)
Date: Saturday, September 18 Game Time: 12:00 ET Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA Network: ESPN3
Western Michigan travels to Heinz Field to take on the (2-0) Panthers who have scored 92 points in two games. The Broncos Kaleb Eleby is an unknown in most football circles, even though he ranked third in the FBS in passer rating in 2020 at 195.08. The only two quarterbacks ahead of him were Alabama’s Mac Jones and BYU’s Zach Wilson. For Eleby to have any chance for success, Western Michigan’s offensive line will have to outperform a relentless Pitt Panthers defense. I feel that Eleby will make some plays but not enough against Pitt.
The Pitt offense should keep right around their season average of 46 points a game. Kenny Pickett should be in line for a huge game with a subpar Broncos secondary. Pitt’s offense needs to come out firing and be the catalyst for winning the time possession battle. This is not UMass by no means as Western Michigan has enough talent on offense to score. The Broncos defense if tough enough to hold for a little bit, but eventually Pitt will get their points.
I like Pitt 47-20 and to cover the -15.
Western Michigan Stats
Passing PLAYERGPATTCMPPCTYDSTDINTKaleb Eleby QB2583560.336520Mareyohn Hrabowski QB1100000Team2593559.33652—Opponents2362158.324531Rushing PLAYERGPATTYDSAVGTD La’Darius Jefferson RB2281445.13 Sean Tyler RB2251335.31 Zahir Abdus-Salaam RB283240 Kaleb Eleby QB212181.50 Mareyohn Hrabowski QB15183.60 Jaxson Kincaide RB24153.80 Team2833524.24 Opponents2693635.33 Receiving PLAYERGPRECYDSAVGTD Jaylen Hall WR21012112.11 Corey Crooms WR2911412.71 Bryce Nunnelly WR27527.40 Sean Tyler RB234314.30 Skyy Moore WR1222110 Anthony Torres TE11880 La’Darius Jefferson RB21550 Jaxson Kincaide RB22000 Team23536510.42 Opponents22124511.73 Scoring PLAYERGPRUTDRETDINTRTDKRTDPRTDTOTLa’Darius Jefferson RB230———3Sean Tyler RB210———1Jaylen Hall WR2—1———1Corey Crooms WR2—1———1Pitt Stats
Passing PLAYERGPATTCMPPCTYDSTDINTKenny Pickett QB2735169.955740Nick Patti QB1551005800Davis Beville QB13266.74500Jared Wayne WR2111001610Team28259726765—Opponents2643656.340521Rushing PLAYERGPATTYDSAVGTD Israel Abanikanda RB219733.81 Vincent Davis RB225652.62 Kenny Pickett QB216583.61 Rodney Hammond Jr. RB18455.60 Shocky Jacques-Louis WR24317.80 A.J. Davis RB122110.51 Daniel Carter RB142051 Todd Sibley Jr. RB121470 Nick Patti QB11991 Jordan Addison WR21550 Team2863193.77 Opponents26017833 Receiving PLAYERGPRECYDSAVGTD Taysir Mack WR2713419.10 Jared Wayne WR2911112.30 Jordan Addison WR2111049.52 Lucas Krull TE289111.42 Jaylon Barden WR2147470 Jaden Bradley WR124522.50 Shocky Jacques-Louis WR24399.80 A.J. Davis RB14235.80 Vincent Davis RB24225.50 Melquise Stovall WR222110.51 Gavin Bartholomew TE132170 Israel Abanikanda RB24184.50 Team25967611.55 Opponents23640511.32