Since he arrived in 2015, Pitt Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi has struggled to get the program back to relevance. That hardly makes Narduzzi unique or a college football odds failure. Pitt has not been a nationally important program since the 1980s. Last year, Narduzzi made a breakthrough with an 11-3 season. Pitt ended with an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and Peach Bowl bid. Additionally, quarterback Kenny Pickett ended up as a Heisman Trophy finalist. But now Pickett is gone to the NFL. Also gone is Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver Jordan Addison, who transferred to USC.
Pitt Panthers Future Odds at SBG
| Prop | Odds |
|---|---|
| Odds to Win National Championship | +16400 |
| Odds to Win Conference Championship | +1000 |
| Over/Under Win Total | 8.5 |
Pitts Panthers History Includes Triumph and Failure
Once upon a time, the Pitt Panthers were a national sports betting power in college football. Pitt has nine claimed national titles with eight more unclaimed nattys. However, their last national championship was in 1976. Thus, much of the Pitt tradition was based on ancient times. Pitt operates in the fertile recruiting territory of Western PA. But they must compete with Big Ten schools such as Penn State for the best players.
Great Pitt Panther players of the past include Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, Dan Marino, Larry Fitzgerald, Joe Schmidt, Mark May, Jimbo Covert, Bill Fralic, Hugh Green, and Marshall Goldberg.
2022 Pitt Panthers – SBG Odds Overview
For all of the progress that Narduzzi has made, he must go back to the drawing board for the 2022 season. But with a new contract, Pitt and Narduzzi are committed to each other and have an uncertain future. The Pitt Panthers’ leap to the ACC championship was a thrill ride that produced the most victories for the program in 40 years.
None of the ACC teams can escape, and many are not wanted elsewhere. The current TV contract was engineered to prevent schools from leaving. While nobody is going anywhere, they are all making far less than Big Ten and SEC teams.
With Pitt being stuck in the ACC, their College football betting odds recruiting is likely to suffer. In turn, elite prospects can play in the richer and more prestigious Big Ten or SEC. And Jordan Addison’s defection was a classic example of how schools with NIL money can poach the best players from schools that don’t.
As a result, eighth-year coach Pat Narduzzi earned a contract extension through the 2030 season. Narduzzi is now ready for the next step. To summarize, Pitt went 11–3, made a #13 ranking, and reached its first major bowl game in 17 years. Narduzzi’s Panthers are eager to overcome the departure of Addison and Heisman finalist quarterback Kenny Pickett and ride the momentum of a season ago.
USC transfer Kedon Slovis is not expected to match Pickett’s 2021 numbers. But he does bring a resume of experience. This former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year completed 68 percent of his passes for 7,576 yards and 58 TDs in three seasons.
Slovis impressively began his USC career when he threw for 3,502 yards and 30 TDs. He led USC to an 8–5 record. But the hype that followed proved to be too much. Last December, Slovis entered the transfer portal. Narduzzi personally recruited Slovis. Subsequently, the QB called his selection of Pittsburgh a “no-brainer.”