Free College Football Picks Today: Pittsburgh Panthers vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 10/1/22

The No. 24 University of Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1, 2-1 Home) kick off Atlantic Coast Conference play against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-3, 0-1 ACC) at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. The Panthers are 22-point favorites, and the total is 49. Georgia Tech is coming off a 27-10 loss against UCF at FBC Mortgage Stadium last Saturday. Jeff Sims threw for 314 yards and a touchdown. Hassan Hall ran seven times for 54 yards. He added three receptions for 40 yards. Malachi Carter caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Pittsburgh beat Rhode Island 45-24 at Acrisure Stadium last Saturday. Kedon Slovis was 20 of 27 for 189 yards. Israel Abanikanda carried 19 times for 177 yards and four touchdowns. Konata Mumpfield had five receptions for 42 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Panthers won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 52-21 victory in October, their fourth straight win against Georgia Tech. Kenny Pickett threw four touchdowns for Pittsburgh, as Abanikanda added two TDs. Sims tossed two touchdowns for Georgia Tech.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Yellow Jackets are averaging 13.8 points per game so far this season, 127th in FBS, and they are facing a Panthers defense that has surrendered 25.5 PPG (73rd). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has scored 36.0 points a game this season, 43rd in the country, and Georgia Tech is allowing 31.8 PPG (97th).The Yellow Jackets rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in passing yards per game (184.8, 110th), while they are 102nd in rushing yards (126.8). The Panthers are 69th in passing yards allowed per game (223.0) and 26th against the run (98.5).Pittsburgh is 77th in the nation in passing yards per game (237.5) and 48th in rushing (181.5). Georgia Tech’s defense has been most beatable on the ground, as the Yellow Jackets are 120th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (209.5). Against the pass, the Yellow Jackets are 43rd (202.5).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through four games, Sims has thrown for two touchdowns (2 INT) and 184.8 yards per game to lead Georgia Tech in passing. Dontae Smith leads the team in rushing with an average of 47.8 yards a game over four games. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Nate McCollum is the Yellow Jackets’ leading receiver with 39.5 yards a game. Slovis has two passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 230.7 yards per game through three games to lead Pittsburgh. In three home games this season, he has thrown for two TDs (1 INT) and an average of 230.7 yards. Abanikanda has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 119.8 yards a game through four games. He has seven total touchdowns, six rushing and one receiving. Jared Wayne has been a key target in the Panthers’ passing game. He has one touchdown and an 88.3 yard per game average through three appearances.