The Louisville Cardinals (6-4, 4-3 ACC) will host the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-3, 3-3 ACC) this Saturday at 4 p.m. ET at L&N Stadium in a matchup of ACC contenders whose championship hopes have recently taken a hit. Both bowl-eligible teams find themselves in the middle of the conference standings and are eager to finish the season strong.
Last season, Pittsburgh earned a convincing 38-21 win at home, but this year, the Cardinals aim to defend their home turf. With both teams playing the role of spoiler in the ACC, Saturday’s game sets the stage for a hard-fought battle of pride and resilience in Louisville.
Pittsburgh vs. Louisville Betting Preview
All Pittsburgh vs. Louisville odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Louisville -6 - Spread
Louisville -7.5 - Moneyline
Pittsburgh +225, Louisville -278 - 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 the most captivating stories in college football. With an offense averaging 35 points and 428.5 total yards per game, their firepower has been the driving force behind their success.
Freshman quarterback Eli Holstein played a key role until a head injury against Virginia two weeks ago sidelined him. In his absence, backup Nate Yarnell has stepped in admirably, throwing for 664 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions with a 62.7% completion rate. While Yarnell has been reliable, Pitt’s fast-paced offense loses some of its explosiveness without Holstein—a potential issue against Louisville’s formidable defense.
For the Cardinals, balance has been their calling card. Averaging 447.8 yards and 36.1 points per game, their offense is orchestrated by Tyler Shough, who has been a standout with 2,774 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions on 63.6% passing. Shough’s steady performance has elevated Louisville’s offense, outshining Pitt’s quarterback production.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Pitt’s top-15 run defense will aim to stifle Louisville’s ground attack, but Shough’s efficiency through the air could be the difference. This game sets up as a defensive battle, with both teams likely to keep the scoring in check. Expect a closely contested first half before Louisville’s offense gains momentum and pulls away late.
At home, with Shough leading the charge, the Cardinals are poised to cover and secure the win, bolstering their impressive season.
Prediction: Lousiville 33, Pitt 23
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