Pittsburgh Panthers (2-4) vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-3)
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 10/21/23 – Week 8 of the NCAAF season is upon us, and as the midseason games unfold, the contest between Pittsburgh Panthers and Wake Forest Demon Deacons promises some thrilling action. The Panthers, with a 2-4 record, are looking to claw their way back into relevance, while the Demon Deacons, at 3-3, hope to gain a winning record. As we gear up for this intense match-up, for those seeking the most accurate free NCAAF weekly predictions, this game stands out as one of the highlights of the week.
The Panthers have relied heavily on their run game this season, with Rodney Hammond Jr. making a notable impactful. Hammond Jr.’s 57 rushing attempts yielded 246 yards for an average 4.3 average yards per carry; 23 yards was his longest rush and three touchdowns illustrate his ability to make decisive plays. Their primary wide receiver Konata Mumpfield also excelled with 23 receptions totalling 279 receiving yards at an impressive average of 12.1 per catch!
Wake Forest’s success can be traced to Demond Claiborne and Jahmal Banks, two outstanding performances on either side. Claiborne leads the running backs in terms of yards gained per attempt with 374 from 85 attempts for an average of 4.42 yards per attempt while Banks has amassed an incredible 374 receiving yards with 36 receptions totalling 374 receiving yards at an average of 10.4 per reception.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 10/21/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium |
| TV: | ACCN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Phil Jurkovec QB vs. Mitch Griffis QB
Phil Jurkovec of Pittsburgh has endured an up-and-down season thus far. Though he’s amassed 818 passing yards from 112 attempts with a 50.9% completion rate, he’s faced heavy pressure from opposing defenses which resulted in 12 sacks for losses totalling 114 yards. Jurkovec’s style focuses on long passes such as his 75 yarder; decision making has been mixed at best with 6 touchdowns to 3 interceptions ratio. At key moments in games Jurkovec will need to handle pressure effectively while still making plays that matter most effectively in critical situations.
Mitch Griffis of Wake Forest, on the other hand, has had a commendable season. With 1211 passing yards from 169 attempts and a 59.2% completion rate, he has demonstrated consistency. His longest pass of 69 yards showcases his capability to change the game’s dynamics in an instant. Griffis’ challenge this season, however, has been the immense pressure from rival defenses, having faced 24 sacks. His style focuses on a mix of short and mid-range passes. His decision-making has been decent but needs improvement, given his 9 touchdowns against 6 interceptions.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Wake Forest Demon Deacons -120, Total Odds: 45
The betting odds slightly favor the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. With a moneyline of -120 and a spread of -1, the game is anticipated to be close. The total odds set at 45 suggests that the match could be a medium-scoring encounter.
Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends
Pittsburgh’s recent form hasn’t been encouraging for their supporters. Their record stands at 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games, with the total going OVER in 9 of their last 10 games. Their overall performance has been lackluster with 1-4 SU in their last 5 games. An alarming trend for Pittsburgh is their performance on the road, with the total going OVER in 4 of their last 5 away games. Their recent games against Atlantic Coast conference teams have consistently gone OVER, with 6 out of 6 surpassing the total.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Trends
Wake Forest’s form has been inconsistent, with a record of 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games. A striking trend is the total going UNDER in 4 of their last 5 games. Their home form, however, has been impressive with 16-3 SU in their last 19 games at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Interestingly, their record against Atlantic Coast conference teams isn’t as strong, with a 1-7 SU in their last 8 games.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 10/21/23 Betting Picks
Given the recent forms and performances of both teams, this contest is shaping up to be a nail-biter. Pittsburgh Panthers, despite their challenging season, have shown sparks of brilliance, especially with their run game. Wake Forest, with their decent home form, will be confident heading into this contest.
Analyzing the betting trends, and individual player performances, Wake Forest seems to be the slightly safer pick. For those looking for over/under options, given both teams’ trends, the UNDER 45 seems to be the logical choice. However, this game could offer some exciting prop bets, especially considering the performances of the running backs from both teams. Our expert premium prediction is that while the game will be closely fought, Wake Forest’s home advantage might tilt the game in their favor.
Free Pick and Prediction: Wake Forest Demon Deacons 23, Pittsburgh Panthers 20.