A clash of schools from the ACC and the Big 12 takes place in the week 3 schedule Saturday afternoon. The Pitt Panthers make the trip to take on the Oklahoma State Sooners in non-conference action. The kickoff from Boone Pickens Stadium is set for 3:30 pm ET. The game is scheduled to be televised nationally on ESPN. Oklahoma State is currently a 4.5 point favorite in the contest with the over/under set at 61.5 points.
Pitt improved to 2-0 on the season by holding on for a 42-39 win over Penn State at home last week. Oklahoma State was stunned on the game’s last play, losing 30-27 at home to Central Michigan. This is the first matchup in the history of the two programs.
Pitt jumped to a 28-7 advantage in the second quarter but nearly gave the game away. The Panthers allowed Penn State to creep within three points. The Nittany Lions converted a 4th and 16 to set them up in Pitt territory. With just over a minute to play, the Panthers’ Ryan Lewis picked off a pass in the end zone to seal the win. The Panthers held a 432-406 edge in total yards and held the ball for 35:29 in the game. Pitt did the majority of their damage on the ground, running the ball 56 times for 341 yards and three scores. The Panthers forced four turnovers in the contest to overcome their two giveaways.
The Panthers aren’t intimidating anyone in their passing attack. Pitt is 120th in the nation with 133 yards per game through the air. The Panthers are 44th in FBS with 213.5 yards per game on the ground. Nathan Peterman is 30 of 47 passing for just 266 yards though he has five touchdown passes against one interception. James Conner, after missing almost all of last year with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leads the team in rushing. He has 39 carries for 170 yards and two scores. Qadree Ollison contributes 16 carries for 66 yards. Scott Orndoff leads the team with nine catches for 83 yards plus a score. Quadree Henderson (82 yards, TD) and Conner (45 yards, 2 TD) each have seven receptions. Chris Blewitt hit all 10 extra points but is 0 for 3 on field goal attempts. That could prove costly in a tight game.
Oklahoma State lost the game on a Hail Mary coupled with a hook and ladder on the final play against Central Michigan. The play never should have happened for multiple reasons with the most important one being poor officiating. Mason Rudolph was called for intentional grounding as the clock hit zero. The game should have ended but the officials gave the Chippewas an untimed down. Oklahoma State struggled offensively as they were outgained 418-338 in the game. The Cowboys forced two turnovers while committing one giveaway.
The Cowboys are a predominantly pass oriented offense. Oklahoma State is 39th in FBS in passing yards while ranking 116th on the ground. Rudolph is 45 of 68 passing for 477 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. The run game averages just three yards per carry with Justice Hill leading the way with 12 carries for 61 yards. Jalen McCleskey leads the team with 15 catches for 130 yards plus a score. James Washington chips in 10 grabs for 103 yards and a score while Jhajuan Seales has six receptions covering 95 yards and two touchdowns. Ben Grogan is 10 of 10 on extra points and 3 of 3 on field goals with a long of 35 yards. Matt Ammendola drilled a 53 yard kick on his only attempt.
Pitt managed to hang on for a win last week against Penn State in the first matchup between those schools in 16 years. Oklahoma State should have won only to be jobbed by the officials and then shoddy defense. It’s impossible to predict something like that happening again here. Pitt’s inability to throw the ball catches up to them here. Oklahoma State’s pass happy offense takes the ball out of Conner’s hands and gives the Cowboys a win. Come back each and every week for our free college football picks!
Oklahoma State is 11-2 ATS in their last 13 after running for less than 100 yards. Pitt is 2-6 ATS in their last eight in September and 0-4 ATS in their last four non-conference games.