ALTOONA, Pa. -- In 100 days from today, Penn State and Pitt will both open their respective football seasons with big games right off the bat on Thursday, Sept. 1.
The Panthers will host West Virginia at Heinz Field in the 105th installment of the Backyard Brawl, while the Nittany Lions will open Big Ten play on the road yet again with a game at Purdue.
Here's a look at Pitt's hype video released Tuesday, focusing on the ACC championship ring from last year.
💯 days until the new season and another championship chase begins!
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) May 24, 2022
9.1.22 » https://t.co/UtHX8y7cuH#H2P » #BeatWVU pic.twitter.com/QHb1HulcqR
With the season 100 days away, there are now some interesting betting odds available trying to predict how Penn State and Pitt will fare this year. Let's take a look at the major ones.
WIN TOTALS
Penn State: The number in play is 8.5 for the Lions, according to BetOnline.ag. The odds are slightly better for under that total, at -135, compared to +105 for the over. The Lions started last year 5-0 and rose to No. 4, but finished just 7-6, although they are considered a preseason top 15 team in many early rankings and are led by QB Sean Clifford.
Pitt: The Panthers' number is 7.5 wins. Odds are heavily in that favor for the over, at -175, compared to +145 for the under. Pitt went 11-3 last year and won the ACC championship, but lost star QB Kenny Pickett to the NFL draft and star WR Jordan Addison to the transfer portal (USC). The Panthers did bring in USC transfer QB Kedon Slovis from the portal.
Post whether you would take the over or under for each team's win total in the comments section.
GAME SPREADS
Penn State: The Lions are -3 at Purdue on Sept. 1, they are +1 at Auburn on Sept. 17, they are +7 at Michigan on Oct. 15, they are +12 at home against Ohio State on Oct. 29, and they are -6 at home against Michigan State on Nov. 26 in lines at Draft Kings.
Pitt: The Panthers have only one line out at this point and are -7 against West Virginia on Sept. 1.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Penn State: The Lions have the fourth-best odds to win the Big Ten at +1600, behind Ohio State (-260), Michigan (+900) and Wisconsin (+1000).
Pitt: The Panthers have the third-best odds to win the ACC at +800, behind only Clemson (-130) and Miami (+700).
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Penn State: The Lions are +6000 to win the national title, tying for the 14th-best odds in the country.
Pitt: The Panthers are +10000 to win the title.
HEISMAN TROPHY
Pitt: Slovis is tied for 10th-best Heisman odds at +4000. Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud has the best odds at +250, and last year's winner, Alabama QB Bryce Young, is at +350.
Penn State: Clifford is +8000, putting him behind more than 30 other players.
