Football Lines – Pittsburgh Tries To Increase Its Hold On The Big East

Those looking at the football betting lines know that the Connecticut Huskies will be playing spoiler this Thursday; the Pittsburgh Panthers will try to move one step closer to a coveted Big East championship.

Thursday, November 11th – 7:45 PM ET

Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT

Broadcast: ESPN

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Pittsburgh Panthers @ Connecticut Huskies

Football Odds: Pittsburgh -5.5, Connecticut +5.5

Total: 46.5

The preseason buildup suggested that this Thursday’s throwdown between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Connecticut Huskies would decide the 2010 Big East championship. Well, in some ways it could… for only one of the teams involved.

Pittsburgh will travel to New England to face Connecticut in a battle of the two teams tabbed in the preseason to contend for the Big East championship by virtually all analysts. Needless to say, neither team is exactly where it hoped it would be with a month left to play. Pitt, after stumbling in all of its major out-of-conference tests, is the only unbeaten team in Big East play.

With every other squad in the Big East already saddled with two losses, the Panthers’ 3-0 record gives them a veritable stranglehold on the conference race, but the sons of the Steel City need to affirm their advantage as the season presses toward the final few weekends.

UConn, conversely, stumbled out of the gate and has yet to truly regain its foothold. Injuries, off-field distractions, and inconsistent play have hindered the Huskies all season. They’ll be looking to knock off the conference leader in the hope of reviving what has been a profoundly disappointing seasons thus far.

UConn expected to finish in the top three of the league at the very least, and contend for the conference crown. On Thursday at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, the Huskies will simply be playing spoiler.

Football Lines: What Pittsburgh Has To Do To Win

The Panthers are not a terribly complicated football team. Opponents know that head coach Dave Wannstedt’s ballclub is going to play smashmouth football, run between the tackles, and take its shots through the air on play-action passes. Defensively, the Panthers utilize a dominating defensive front featuring Jabaal Sheard and returning superstar Greg Romeus to harass opposing passers. The Panthers’ offensive attack no longer revolves solely around tailback Dion Lewis. Now, he and fellow backfield mate Ray Graham share the load to the tune of 160 yards per game on the ground.

When Pitt does go to the air, quarterback Tino Sunseri looks for future NFL receiver Jonathan Baldwin. After struggling early, Sunseri seems to have settled into the offense nicely. With a defense that ranks 10th in the nation in total defense, the Panthers don’t need much to get by. They simply have to play their normal physical style and get a turnover-free performance from Sunseri. If those two ingredients are in place, the Panthers should be fine.

Football Lines: What Connecticut Has To Do To Win

Connecticut’s up-and-down season has been mostly down, with just a little up to keep the Huskies going. After a deflating opening loss to Michigan, followed by an embarrassing loss to Temple, the Huskies appeared to be settling down. Then, following a close loss to Rutgers, they lost quarterback Cody Endres permanently due to off-field problems and were shut out on the road at Louisville. When all seemed lost, though, the Huskies rallied to score their first-ever win against West Virginia and may yet be poised to make the most of what has been a very trying slog through the autumnal months.

Relying on workhorse tailback Jordan Todman, the Huskies will run the ball directly at Pitt, hoping to control the clock and the line of scrimmage. With 12 days to rest and prepare for the game, the Huskies will be fresh and will accordingly make every effort to resuscitate their season. It all comes down to establishing the running game for Connecticut. If the Huskies can establish Todman, they can set up play-action passes down the field and get Pittsburgh’s defense off balance. That’s the path to victory for coach Randy Edsall’s crew.

Football Lines: Outlook & Pick

As valiant as the Huskies’ effort will be, they’re going to have to reach deep in this contest. Pitt is the most talented team in the league and appears to finally be playing like it. The Huskies have been stifled on offense often this season and Thursday needs to be different. Just don’t expect it to be. Take Pittsburgh minus the points.

Football Lines Pick: Pittsburgh -5.5

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