Miami vs Pittsburgh 2010 College Football Picks: Week-4 College football play begins Thursday night with an old Big East rivalry renewed when the 1-1 Pittsburgh Panthers host the 1-1 Miami Hurricanes at Heinz Field (7:30 pm Eastern, ESPN). Both teams have lost tough games to good opponents, and beaten inferior outfits. And both teams had last week off. As of Thursday morning Sportsbook.com is listing the 19th(AP) ranked 'Canes as 4-point favorites on the road for the game, with an OVER/UNDER of 49. The Panthers are also getting +150 on the Sportsbook.com moneyline to win the game outright.
When you look at what Miami and Pitt do on offense, defense and special teams, you see where they share some very similar characteristics. Miami coach Randy Shannon and Pitt head man Dave Wannstedt have had a coach to coach relationship as well as a coach to player relationship together in their careers. Wannstedt even recruited Shannon out of high school when he was an assistant at Miami. The relationship is why the two coaches share such similar styles in philosophy.
Looking at Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh opened the season with a tough loss at Utah before cruising past New Hampshire in its home opener on Sept. 11.
Quarterback Tino Sunseri has completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 459 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Dion Lewis – the BIG EAST's 2010 Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year – has carried the ball 35 times for 102 yards (2.9 ypc) and two touchdowns this year, while Ray Graham has nine carries for 115 yards (12.8 ypc) and two touchdowns, all against New Hampshire.
Jon Baldwin is Sunseri's go-to guy in the passing game, having hauled in 10 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns in two games. Mike Shanahan (7 catches, 89 yards) is a secondary threat.
Looking at Miami: Miami opened the season with an easy win over an opponent from the FCS class in FLorida A&M, but followed with a 12-point loss on the road to No. 2 ranked Ohio State.
The 'Canes are led on the field by quarterback Jacory Harris, described as a strong armed kid who is a threat to throw the ball anywhere on the field. Harris will stretch any teams defenses. Running back Damien Berry has been holding down the fort in the backfield with last years starter Graig Cooper recovering from injury. Cooper is expected back for this game giving the team a solid one-two punch. Miami is also dangerous in the special teams department. Running back Lamar Miller returned an kickoff 88 yards to pay dirt two weeks ago against Ohio State.
Reno Gold's Game Pick: Miami is the trendy pick for sure with the Hurricanes getting 83 percent of betting action ATS and 81 percent moneyline. While I am uncomfortable going with the public to some degree, I have to agree on one thing. I think Miami is more talented overall and the area tipping the scale is in special teams. The Hurricanes are scary in that area. I'm taking the Canes -4 in this one.
Last week the AP Top 25 went 21-1 straight-up vs. unranked opponents, and 14-7-1 vs. the BetOnline.com pointspreads. On the season, the AP's Top 25 is 53-4 vs. unranked teams SU, 25-21-3 ATS.
When it comes to College Football Picks there is only one sports handicapper that football bettors should follow, he goes by name of Reno Gold. Handicapping college football games for over thirty five years without a losing season, Reno has the experience and long term winning record only time can produce. His 2010 College Football Predictions record stands at a winning 21-11 heading into NCAA Football Week 4.
Bet Thursday night's Miami vs. Pittsburgh college football game at Sportsbook.com and get a 50% Deposit Bonus and $25 Free Bet, simply use promo code WIN100 and start winning today!
