-
Follow Us
On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
You want to talk about two teams in desperate need of finishing with something positive …
Toledo was probably the best team in the MAC this year, but it got whacked by Ohio in the game it had to have, lost to Akron - who loses to Akron? - and ended up with a blah season despite at win at Mississippi State and yet another trip to a bowl game.
It’s the fourth bowl trip in a row for the Rockets, but it’s just 1-5 in its last six going back to 2016.
Pitt has won two of its last three bowl games but just three of its last ten. However, one was last year’s thriller over UCLA in the Sun, and the two other victims came in other versions of this bowl over MAC teams.
The 2024 Panthers started 7-0, couldn’t handle SMU, and closed with a tough five-game losing streak.
Pitt vs Toledo: How to Watch the GameAbove Sports Bowl, Game Preview
Date: Thursday, December 26, 2024
Game Time: 2:00 pm ET
How To Watch: ESPN
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Teams: Pitt (7-5), Toledo (7-5)
Fiu Bluesky | CFN Bluesky | CFN X | CFN FB
- Bowl Schedule, Scoreboard, Predictions
- GameAbove Rate, Pitt vs Toledo Expert Picks
Why Toledo Will Win
Pitt’s available players are a tad iffy at the moment. The team should be okay, but a slew of skill players are questionable, primarily at quarterback.
So what went wrong the the Panthers over the five-game losing streak slide? The offense wasn’t consistent and the turnovers started to come in bunches. After giving the ball away just six times over the seven game winning streak, the offense turned it over 11 times in the five games.
Toledo doesn’t force a ton of mistakes, but it should bring enough pressure to make the Panthers rush, especially if their top two quarterbacks aren’t around - Nate Yarnell is in the portal.
From all of those turnovers, to way too many penalties, to special teams mistakes, Pitt screws up a ton. However …
Why Pitt Will Win
Speaking of making mistakes, Toledo is miserable in the red zone, it doesn’t run well, and it can’t control the clock. Worst of all for this game, the passing game isn’t consistent enough.
The Panther secondary was a sticking point for most of the year. It wasn’t bad on third downs, and the team was just fine as long as the D wasn’t getting torched.
Pitt was 5-0 when allowing teams to connect on fewer than 58% of their passes. Toledo should be able to get to the mark, but its tell is whether or not that ground game can get moving.
The Rockets were 5-1 when coming up with more than 3.6 yards per carry, and 2-4 when being held to fewer. When they can’t run, that’s when the turnovers start flowing.
Pitt vs Toledo: Who Will Win?
Pitt has more opt-outs and parts missing, but it has more room to lose players. Toledo’s margin for talent error is far slimmer.
The Panther quarterback situation is the problem. Check back on this just before game time. Until we know for sure that Eli Holstein can go, assume he can’t.
However, again, the Panthers have more decent players who can step in and take over.
The Rockets will put up a good fight, but the Power Four lines - in whatever configuration they may be - will take over in the final 20 minutes.
Pitt vs Toledo GameAbove Sports Bowl Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction: Pitt 30, Toledo 20
Line: Pitt -7, o/u: 49.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Must See Rating: 3
- GameAbove Rate, Pitt vs Toledo Expert Picks
More must-reads:
- Five takeaways from the second round of the NBA Draft
- Mets lose key starting pitcher to brutal leg injury
- The 'No. 2 NBA Draft picks' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
