The No. 20 SMU Mustangs (7-1) meet a fellow ACC opponent when they host the No. 18 Pittsburgh Panthers (7-0) on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

The Mustangs are expected to win by at least a touchdown (currently -7.5) versus the Panthers. The over/under for this matchup is 59 points.

Read on for our preview for this this contest between the Mustangs and the Panthers, and discover all of our predictions here, too!

SMU vs. Pittsburgh betting lines

• Spread favorite: Mustangs (-7.5)
• Moneyline: Mustangs (-290), Panthers (+230)
• Total: 59 points

SMU vs. Pittsburgh betting info and stats

SMU has an against-the-spread record of 4-3-0 so far this season. SMU has covered the spread once when the favorite by at least 7.5 points (a 1-3 ATS record). SMU has been moneyline favorites for five games this season, and it has put up a 4-1 record in those contests. Pittsburgh has six wins against the spread this season (6-1-0). Pittsburgh has been listed as an underdog on the moneyline two times so far this season, and it won both of the games.

SMU vs. Pittsburgh recent stats and trends

SMU Mustangs

• SMU has covered the spread twice in its last three matchups while putting up a 3-0 record straight-up in those games.
• The final combined score of the past three SMU games has exceeded the set total two times.
• The past three SMU games averaged seven fewer points (52) than this matchup’s point total.

Pittsburgh Panthers

• Pittsburgh is 2-1 against the spread and 3-0 overall during its last three games.
• Pittsburgh and its opponents did not hit the over in any of those games.
• The last three Pittsburgh games averaged 61.3 total points, 2.3 more points than this matchup’s over/under.

SMU vs. Pittsburgh key players

SMU Mustangs

• Kevin Jennings has been a dual threat for SMU so far this season. He has 1,594 passing yards, completing 64.3% of his passes and recording 10 touchdown passes and five interceptions this season. He’s rushed for 321 yards (40.1 ypg) on 67 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
• Brashard Smith has carried the ball 116 times for a team-high 742 yards on the ground and has found the end zone nine times as a runner. He’s also tacked on 18 catches for 169 yards (21.1 per game) and one touchdown in the pass game.
• RJ Maryland’s 359 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 35 times and has registered 24 catches and four touchdowns.
• Roderick Daniels Jr. has put together a 293-yard season so far with one touchdown, reeling in 13 passes on 19 targets.
• Jake Bailey has been the target of 35 passes and hauled in 19 receptions for 275 yards, an average of 34.4 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone one time through the air this season.
• Isaiah Smith paces the team with four sacks, and also has four TFL and 15 tackles.
• Kobe Wilson, SMU’s tackle leader, has 45 tackles, two TFL, and two interceptions this year.
• Ahmaad Moses has picked off a team-high three passes. He also has 28 tackles, two TFL, and three passes defended to his name.

Pittsburgh Panthers

• Eli Holstein has thrown for 1,808 yards (258.3 ypg) to lead Pittsburgh, completing 64% of his passes and recording 17 touchdown passes and five interceptions this season. He is also a playmaker on the ground, racking up 286 yards (40.9 ypg) on 62 carries with three touchdowns.
• Desmond Reid has carried the ball 89 times for a team-high 541 yards (77.3 per game) with three touchdowns. He also leads the team through the air, as his 25 receptions this season are good for 341 yards, and he’s scored four touchdowns in the passing game.
• Konata Mumpfield’s 473 receiving yards (67.6 yards per game) are best on his team. He has 27 receptions on 44 targets with three touchdowns.
• Kenny Johnson’s 24 catches (on 37 targets) have netted him 277 yards (39.6 ypg) and two touchdowns.
• Jimmy Scott has four sacks to pace the team, and also has six TFL and 13 tackles.
• Kyle Louis has 39 tackles, six TFL, three sacks, and three interceptions, and leads the team in both tackles and interceptions.