The Central Michigan Chippewas take on the Pittsburgh Panthers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. EDT on ESPNU.
Pittsburgh is favored by 21.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -2100. The total is set at 50.5 points.
Here’s my Central Michigan vs. Pittsburgh prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 6, 2025.
Central Michigan vs Pittsburgh Prediction
- Central Michigan vs. Pittsburgh Pick: Pitt -21.5 (-115, DraftKings | Play to -22.5)
My Pittsburgh vs. Central Michigan best bet is on the Panthers. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Central Michigan vs Pittsburgh Odds
| C. Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+21.5 -105 | 50.5 -105o / -115u | +1000 |
| Pittsburgh Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-21.5 -115 | 50.5 -105o / -115u | -2100 |
- Central Michigan vs Pittsburgh point spread: Pittsburgh -21.5 (-115), C. Michigan +21.5 (-105)
- Central Michigan vs Pittsburgh over/under: 50.5 (-105o / -115u).
- Central Michigan vs Pittsburgh moneyline: C. Michigan +1060, Pittsburgh -2100
Central Michigan vs Pittsburgh Pick, Betting Analysis
I just talked about the Chippewas benefiting last week from unveiling their unique run-heavy offense that uses multiple quarterbacks against an opponent that had no idea what to expect.
Well, that won't be the case this week since Pitt will have film on the run scheme and personnel new head coach Matt Drinkall utilized last week.
Additionally, you need to attack this Pitt defense through the air and take advantage of its aggressive coverage on the outside. Central Michigan can't complete that task.
The strength of this Panther defense lies up front, highlighted by an outstanding group of linebackers. They're built to stop a ground-and-pound offensive attack like this.
Expect plenty of run stuffs and negative plays, putting CMU behind the chains, where it will likely be helpless.
I don't love laying three touchdowns against a team that profiles like a service academy (Drinkall came from Army) since they want to shorten the game and limit the amount of overall possessions, which isn't ideal for covering a big number.
However, I'm making an exception here based on the spot, matchup and my projection.
Pitt at least plays with pace and should find plenty of explosive plays through the air and ground with Eli Holstein and Desmond Reid. This team is built to blow out clearly inferior competition.
Lastly, it's not the most ideal situational spot for CMU. Fresh off a hard-fought upset win on the West Coast, it comes back across the country for another road game against Pitt (which stays in its own neighborhood after cruising to a win over an FCS opponent) before taking on in-state big brother Michigan.
Things could get ugly in Acrisure Stadium.
I project Pitt at -24.2, so I'd bet the Panthers up to -22.5.
Pick: Pitt -21.5 (-115, DraftKings | Play to -22.5)
