The pros at FiveStarPick.com are coming off a scary victory last night as we gave our members Cincinnati -2.5 at South Florida. After Tony Pike went down in the 3rd quarter, we thought the game was over for the Cats.  But in came the future of Cincinnati Football…Zach Collaros and man is that boy a baller. Another win against the spread for the good guys.

Today we will be previewing the 2nd Big East matchup in as many nights as the Pittsburgh Panthers travel to Rutgers to take on the Scarlet Knights.  Las Vegas sportsbooks list Pittsburgh (5-1 straight up, 3-2 against the spread) as 5.5-point road favorites with a total of 48.5.

Pittsburgh already has a pair of Big East victories. They crushed Louisville two Fridays ago, 35-10, then captured a 24-21 win over UConn last week, rallying from 15-points down to take out the Huskies on an 18-yard field goal as time expired. Pitt failed to cover the 6.5-points and left many Pitt backers a little lighter in the pocket.

Rutgers (4-1 SU, 1-2 against the spread) will get the more favorable spot tonight in terms of schedule.  Pitt has to travel and play on a short week, while the Scarlet Knights are coming off an bye.  Before the bye week, Rutgers made chili out of Texas Southern 42-0 at home. Since losing 47-15 in their season opener to Cincinnati, Rutgers has won four consecutive games against Howard (45-7), FIU (23-15), Maryland (34-13) and Texas So.

Tom Savage will make his fourth career start at QB for Rutgers. The true freshman has a 4/0 touchdown-interception ratio, but this will be Savage’s first real test against Big East competition. Rutgers will face a defense that ranks third in the nation in sacks (4 per game), so the freshman QB could get a little rattled in the pocket.

Stull has been awesome this season for Pitt. The fifth-year senior has completed 66.7 percent of his throws for 1,256 yards with a 13/3 TD-INT ratio.  Part of Stull’s success is his two wide-outs in Dickerson and Baldwin. On the season, Dickerson has 21 receptions for 232 yards and seven TDs, while Baldwin has 27 catches for 532 yards and three TDs. On the ground they have found a gem in Dion Lewis, who has 738 rushing yards and seven TDs. Lewis is averaging 5.6 yards per carry.

FiveStarPick.com’s weather analysis shows a strong chance of rain and temperatures in the low-40’s at kickoff. The wind-chill factor could be as low as the 30’s.

So who covers the spread tonight?  It’s very easy to find out.  Try FiveStarPick.com tonight for only ($19.99) and see if our talent for picking college and pro football winners exceeds your expectations.  We are the only sports handicapping service in the business who documents wins and losses and displays them on our homepage for all to see.  It’s because we have nothing to hide…we just win games against the spread.  Join our family today and start your winning streak tonight.

Rick Riley – FiveStarPick.com

The pros at fivestarpick.com suffered a heartbreaking loss last night as we gave our members West Virginia -16.5.  The Mountaineers were up 35-17 with 2 minutes remaining and fell victim to a back door cover via a meaningless Colorado TD with time expiring.  Tonight we look to get back on track as we give our members the winner of Pitt @ Louisville.  Las Vegas sportsbooks list Pitt as 6.5 point road favorites with a total of 53.5

Louisville’s program (1-2 straight up, 1-1 against the spread) has been on a downward spiral since Bobby Petrino (41-9) left and Pittsburgh (3-1 SU, 2-1 against the spread) has shared in the same dissapointment under Dave Wannstedt. 

Pitt is playing its second road game in as many weeks and took a 31-17 lead late in the third quarter last week at North Carolina State. But Russell Wilson threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to spark a North Carolina St. comeback victory, 38-31.  The Wolfpack covered as a 1 ½-point home dog.

In Pitt’s losing effort, Bill Stull threw for 206 yards and two TD passes without an interception. On the season, Stull has completed 65.6 percent of his throws for 746 yards with an outstanding 8/1 touchdown-interception ratio.  Pitt was not high on anyone’s depth chart this season with RB’s LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling going to the NFL, but redshirt freshman RB Dion Lewis has rushed for 493 yards and seven TDs and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

Louisville started off the season with a 30-10 home win over Indiana St. in a non-lined game.  The Cardinals then had a great shot at pulling an upset at Kentucky, but the Wildcats rallied in the fourth quarter to capture the victory.  Louisville still covered the spread as a 13-point road dog.  On the road at Utah last week, Louisville lost a 30-14 decision. The Utes covered as 14-point home favorites.

This is the 5th home dog spot for Louisville under Kragthorpe’s tenure. The Cards are 2-2 against the spread winning outright twice against Kansas St. and USF last season.  The Panthers are 5-6 ATS as road favorites under Wannstedt.

Louisville starting safety Terrence Simien remains “out” after suffering a kidney laceration in the loss at UK.  Starting LB Brandon Heath is “probable” after leaving last week’s game with a sprained ankle.  Pitt starting MLB Adam Gunn (ankle) is “probable” this week, reserve DE Tyler Tkach is “doubtful” with a foot injury and starting free safety Andrew Taglianetti is done for the season after tearing his ACL.

So who covers the spread in this matchup?  It’s very easy to find out.  Try FiveStarPick.com tonight for only ($19.99) and see if our talent for picking college and pro football winners exceeds your expectations.  We are the only sports handicapping service in the business who documents wins and losses and displays them on our homepage for all to see.  It’s because we have nothing to hide…we just win games against the spread.  Join our family today and start your winning streak tonight.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com