Pittsburgh vs Southern Methodist Picks and Prediction – 11/3/2024

On Saturday, the 18th ranked Pittsburgh Panthers (7-0) face off against the 20th ranked SMU Mustangs (7-1) at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Get the rest of our free college football picks here!

SMU comes into this matchup ranked 20th in the latest AP Poll and on a five game winning streak. In a closely contested 28-27 overtime victory against Duke, SMU's quarterback Kevin Jennings showcased his skills by completing 13 out of 24 passes, amassing a total of 258 yards and contributing a touchdown for the Mustangs. Throughout this season, Jennings has demonstrated his prowess on the field with an impressive total of 1,594 passing yards. Complementing the aerial attack, running back Brashard Smith has been effective on the ground, accumulating 745 rushing yards. Meanwhile, tight end RJ Maryland has been a key target in the passing game, racking up 359 receiving yards for the team. The Mustangs are riding high on a five-game winning streak, during which they have averaged a remarkable 42 points per game. This impressive performance has positioned them in a tie for second place in the American Coast Conference standings. Notably, SMU remains undefeated in their conference matchups, having secured victories in all four of their games. They aim to maintain this unbeaten record as they prepare to face Pittsburgh. Overall, the Mustangs have been an offensive powerhouse this season, averaging 39.1 points per game across all their contests.

Pittsburgh enters this game ranked 18th in the latest AP Poll and on a seven game winning streak. In a dominant 41-13 victory against Syracuse, Pittsburgh’s quarterback Eli Holstein delivered an impressive performance, completing 11 out of 15 passes for a total of 108 yards and securing two touchdowns. Throughout this season, Holstein has accumulated 1,805 passing yards, showcasing his significant contribution to the team’s offensive strategy. Complementing the air attack, running back Desmond Reid has amassed 541 rushing yards, while wide receiver Konata Mumpfield has added 473 receiving yards, highlighting the diverse offensive threats in Pittsburgh's arsenal. Over their last five games, the Panthers have been prolific in scoring, averaging 40.6 points per game. This consistent offensive output has positioned them third in the standings of the American Coast Conference. Moreover, Pittsburgh has dominated their conference matchups, winning all three games they have played. This winning streak is set to lead into an encounter with another conference foe that also holds an undefeated record in their conference games this season. On the broader spectrum of the campaign, Pittsburgh maintains an impressive scoring average of 42.3 points per game, underscoring their ability to consistently put points on the board.

In the most recent AP Poll, both Pittsburgh and SMU are 18th and 20th respectively, highlighting their strong performances this season. Both teams remain unbeaten in their respective conference matchups. Pittsburgh has achieved a perfect record in away games, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure on the road. Meanwhile, SMU has shown resilience at their home stadium, securing victories in three out of their four home games this season. Both offenses will look to get an early start and this one will be an important matchup for both teams moving forward. Final Score Prediction, SMU Mustangs win but fail to cover the spread, 32-25.