The Louisville Cardinals (6-4, 4-3 ACC) host the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-3, 3-3 ACC) this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET at L&N Stadium in a clash of ACC contenders who saw their championship dreams dim in recent weeks. Both teams, now bowl-eligible, find themselves in the middle of the conference pack, seeking to close their seasons on a high note.
Pittsburgh claimed last year’s matchup, a decisive 38-21 victory at home, but this time, the Cardinals look to protect their turf. With both squads playing spoiler throughout the ACC, Saturday’s game promises to be a battle of resilience and pride — setting the stage for a compelling showdown in Louisville.
Pittsburgh vs. Louisville Betting Preview
All Pittsburgh vs. Louisville odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Louisville -6 - Spread
Louisville -8.5 - Moneyline
Pittsburgh +260, Louisville -300 - Over/Under
57.5 points - Game time
4 p.m. ET - Location
L&N Federal Credit Stadium | Lousiville, KY - Predicted Weather at Kick
51 degrees, mostly cloudy, 6 mph winds - How To Watch
ESPN2
Louisville initially opened as a touchdown favorite, and the number has slowly climbed to -8.5, where it currently sits. It hasn’t been above -8.5 and will likely sit between there and -7 for kickoff.
The total has been a bit more volatile, opening at 60.5 and dropping all the way to 56.5 before settling on 57.5.
Pittsburgh’s Winning Probability
According to CFN’s Football Playoff Meter, the Panthers have a 35.9% chance of defeating the Cardinals on Saturday.
If the win probabilities hold, Pittsburgh will finish its 2024 campaign at 8-4. This would be an excellent bounce-back for Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers, who finished just 3-9 a season ago. They would be looking for their first bowl win since the 2022 Sun Bowl.
- at Louisville: 35.9%
- at Boston College: 51.2%
Louisville’s Winning Probability
According to the CFN FPM, the Cardinals have a 64.1% chance of defeating Pittsburgh at home on Saturday.
If the win probabilities hold, Louisville would finish 2024 at 8-4 and have an opportunity to capture its ninth victory in a bowl game. If they could win out, that would give Jeff Brohm 19 total victories in two seasons at the helm for Lousiville.
- vs. Pittsburgh: 64.1%
- at Kentucky: 57.4%
Prediction for Pittsburgh vs. Louisville
Pitt’s resurgence this season has been one of college football’s most compelling stories. Averaging 35 points and 428.5 total yards per game, their offense has fueled their success.
Freshman quarterback Eli Holstein has been instrumental, but a head injury two weeks ago against Virginia sidelined him. Backup Nate Yarnell has stepped in, throwing for 664 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions on 62.7% passing. While Yarnell is steady, Pitt’s fast-paced offense isn’t as dynamic without Holstein — a challenge against Louisville’s strong defense.
For the Cardinals, balance has been their hallmark. Averaging 447.8 yards and 36.1 points per game, their offense is led by Tyler Shough, who has thrown for 2,774 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 63.6% completion rate. Shough’s consistency has been a difference-maker, far outpacing Pitt’s QB production.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Pittsburgh’s top-15 run defense will try to slow Louisville’s ground game, but Shough’s passing could prove decisive. This matchup has the makings of a defensive struggle, with neither team likely to light up the scoreboard. Expect a tightly contested first half before Louisville’s offense finds its rhythm and pulls away late.
At home, with Shough at the helm, the Cardinals should cover and secure a victory, solidifying their strong season.
Prediction: Lousiville 33, Pitt 23
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