Northwestern Has Been Just Terrible In Bowl Games

The bowl season has not been kind to Northwestern, as the Wildcats have gone 1-10 in their past 11 bowl games dating back to 1995. In Pat Fitzgerald’s tenure as coach specifically, Northwestern has gone 1-5 in bowl games. A 6-6 Northwestern team finds itself in the Pinstripe Bowl against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Shark Bites
  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Northwestern's last 9 games after a win.
  • Pitt is 1-4 SU and ATS in its last 5 bowl games.
  • The total has gone OVER in Pittsburgh's last 11 games.

Northwestern’s offense is built primarily around two playmakers. Running back Justin Jackson finished third in the Big Ten in rushing yards and was only five yards away from leading the conference, while finding the end zone 12 times. Wide receiver Austin Carr was a non-factor during his first two seasons in Evanston but has blown up for 1196 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

The Wildcats excelled at rushing defense this season, holding opponents to 136.7 yards per game and just 3.7 rushing yards per carry. Godwin Igwebuike has been a big reason why the run-stopping unit has been great, as the safety has tallied 101 tackles on the year. Northwestern’s secondary has been odd this season, ranking 106th in passing yards allowed but surrendering only 11 passing touchdowns.

Pitt’s offense has been one of the highest-scoring in the nation, averaging 42.3 points per game. The passing game is in capable hands with senior Nathan Peterman throwing the ball, but the heart and soul of the team is James Conner. The running back has rushed for 1060 yards and 16 touchdowns while getting better as the season has gone on. In Conner’s past six games, he has rushed for 619 yards and 11 TDs.

The Panthers defense has been completely one note, as they are eighth in the nation in run defense and 127th against the pass. The defense is led by sixth-year senior Ejuan Price who finished second in ACC defensive player of the year voting on the back of a campaign that saw him account for 12 sacks and 21.0 tackles for a loss.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Betting fans looking to side with the Northwestern Wildcats in this one found them as 3-point underdogs at Sportsbook. The over under number was slated to open a short time later.

Odds Shark prediction models picked the Panthers to win this game on Wednesday 34-31. Check the picks page or matchup report during the week as factors may cause that prediction to be re-run. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.

Pittsburgh Panthers vs Northwestern Wildcats Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Northwestern Wildcats sport a record of 6-6 and 7-5 ATS heading into this betting matchup, while the Pittsburgh Panthers sit at 8-4 and 5-7 ATS on the season. The over under totals records are 4-8 for the Wildcats and 11-1 for the Panthers. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Northwestern vs Pittsburgh injuries news.

The Northwestern Wildcats sit at No. 44 in the current College Football Power Rankings here at Odds Shark, while the Pittsburgh Panthers are at No. 47 on that chart.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively, the game matches up the Northwestern Wildcats No. 91-ranked offense (25.58 PPG) against a Pittsburgh Panthers defense that ranks No. 109 at 35.58 PPG. The Northwestern Wildcats passing attack has averaged 247.67 yards per game, less than the Pittsburgh Panthers give up through the air (343.08 YPG on average).

Defensively, the Pittsburgh Panthers feature the league's No. 4-rated road run defense, allowing 89.2 yards per game. Northwestern, meanwhile, ranks No. 117 in rushing offense at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

James Conner ran through the Syracuse defense for 115 yards in Pittsburgh's last game, handing the Orange a 76-61 setback on Saturday at Heinz Field.

Justin Jackson ran through the Illinois defense for 173 yards in Northwestern's last game, handing the Fighting Illini a 42-21 setback on Saturday at Ryan Field.

Betting Trends
  • Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
  • Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
  • Northwestern is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Northwestern's last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Northwestern's last 9 games after a win.home Pitt is 1-4 SU and ATS in its last 5 bowl games.away The total has gone OVER in Pittsburgh's last 11 games.away
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