West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Pick – NCAAF Week 1

After an appetizer of action in Week 0, it’s on to a full week of action. It’s an exciting time of the year, but it is worth remaining you not to go crazy and stick to proper bankroll management. There is a lot of football to be played and you don’t want to go bust in Week 1.

BIG 12 VS. ACC – The West Virginia Mountaineers are at the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers for a meeting with the Pitt Panthers. The Mountaineers and Panthers are one of two games to circle. Penn State and Purdue kick off an hour later in the Big Ten.

The Big Ten schedule started in Ireland. Northwestern upset Scott Frost and Nebraska. That was our first pick and winner of the 2022 college football season. On to Pittsburgh, where the Panthers are expecting big things.

Pitt finished 11-3 and won the ACC after blowing the doors off Wake Forest in the conference championship. Despite losing Pickett and leading wide receiver Jordan Addison transferring to USC, the Panthers are expected to have a good team.

Addison is off to USC in Los Angeles, while former Trojan quarterback, Kedon Slovis, is in Pittsburgh with the Panthers. Slovis provides Pitt with a decent arm to replace Pickett, but don’t expect the same numbers.

This may not be a problem for No. 17 Pitt with their defense. They are expected to be fast and physical up front. West Virginia must block well or it’s going to be a long night.

The Mountaineers are coming off a 6-7 season and an appearance in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at Chase Field.

West Virginia wasn’t very settled with Jarret Doege at quarterback last year. He was fine, but a serious drop-off from Will Grier. Slovis has a meeting against a former teammate at USC, as JT Daniels is on his third team in his collegiate career.

Daniels transferred from Georgia to West Virginia for an opportunity to have more playing time. He was highly regarded as a Heisman candidate last year, but lost his job to Stetson Bennett after an injury. Head below for our free West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh prediction.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Live Betting Odds

West Virginia vs. Pittsburgh Prediction

West Virginia has to give off to a fast start with JT Daniels under center. He’s been on watchlists since he was a freshman at USC, but hasn’t fulfilled his expectations. Injuries had something to do with it, and then Stetson Bennett took his job, but Daniels never really had the “it” factor when on the field.

Is this the season where Daniels finally breaks out and plays like the quarterback everyone expected in high school? Daniels isn’t exactly dealing with a stacked offense at West Virginia. The good news is that all five offensive linemen return, though he needs to develop a rapport quickly with a receiving core that doesn’t have much depth. This probably isn’t the game to do it against one of the best defensive lines in football.

MAJOR DISRUPTORS – Pitt is going to cause issues for offensive lines all season. West Virginia might have experience on their line, but they’re dealing with a top-10 unit up front right out of the gate.

The Panthers ranked second in the FBS in sacks per game. They were great last season and probably only going to get better. After a standout campaign, Pitt is getting plenty of defensive talent back on defense.

Daniels has to get rid of the ball fast or Pitt is going to turn this game into a frustrating debut for him in a hurry. In his first start with a new offense, he’ll have to navigate through one of the best defensive lines in the country.

This game can be won in the trenches with an experienced and talented Pitt defense. Expect Daniels to be running around often on Thursday night.

Conversely, West Virginia has to do the same, but doesn’t have the same confidence in their defense. The Mountaineers will have to get home in the backfield because there’s a lot of inexperience in the secondary. Only one starter from last year is back on the field.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends

West Virginia

• 1-4 ATS in their previous five games
• 2-8 overall in their previous ten games on the road
• 2-5 ATS in their previous seven games versus the ACC
• 1-4 ATS in their previous five games on the road
• UNDER is 5-1-1 in their previous seven games versus the ACC

Pittsburgh

• 11-4 ATS in their previous 15 games
• 8-1 overall in their previous nine games in September
• 3-1-1 ATS in their previous five games
• 9-4 ATS in their previous 13 games versus a non-conference team
• 10-4 ATS in their previous 14 games on a Thursday at home

The secondary might take some time for the Mountaineers to gel early in the season. They went through a lot of new players in the secondary because of injuries last year. A rash of players entered the transfer portal this offseason as well. He took over for Daniels after suffering an early injury in 2019. Daniels was spotty as a freshman, with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 59.5% completions.

Slovis took the opportunity and ran with it at USC. He will appreciate having an experienced and talented offensive line this season. Pitt returns five starters on the line. Expect him to have plenty of time to work downfield vs a thin West Virginia secondary.

Look for the Pitt defensive line to dictate the pace on Thursday night. West Virginia has to establish the run, but it’s likely not happening in Pittsburgh. This entire Panthers’ defensive line is out to impress NFL scouts. I’m assuming the public backs West Virginia getting a touchdown, but I think Pitt is 10 or 13 points better at home.