Pittsburgh at Michigan State - 2021 Matchup Preview
Pittsburgh logo   Pittsburgh Panthers vs Michigan State Spartans  Michigan State logo
Thursday, December 30th 2021 (7:00 PM EST)
Michigan State -3.5 (55.0) (-160)  Open: -4.0 | 63.0
Michigan State 31 - Pittsburgh: 21  (Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl)

 
Panthers (11 - 3) (10 - 4 - 0)
Coach Pat Narduzzi (44 - 35)
Avg Score : 34 - 25 (33 - 25 on Road)
'21 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Spartans (11 - 2) (9 - 4 - 0)
Coach Mel Tucker (5 - 5)
Avg Score : 25 - 30 (25 - 28 @ Home)
'21 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Pittsburgh's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4 Pittsburgh vs Massachusetts-38.056.0W 51 - 7OY
Sat 9/11 Pittsburgh at Tennessee-3.556.0W 41 - 34OY
Sat 9/18 Pittsburgh vs Western Michigan-14.059.0L 41 - 44ON
Sat 9/25 Pittsburgh vs New Hampshire-29.053.0W 77 - 7OY
Sat 10/2 Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech-3.057.5W 52 - 21OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/16 Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech-6.055.5W 28 - 7UY
Sat 10/23 Pittsburgh vs Clemson-3.547.0W 27 - 17UY
Sat 10/30 Pittsburgh vs Miami-9.561.0L 34 - 38ON
Sat 11/6 Pittsburgh at Duke-21.064.5W 54 - 29OY
Thu 11/11 Pittsburgh vs North Carolina-6.572.0W 30 - 23UY
Sat 11/20 Pittsburgh vs Virginia-12.569.0W 48 - 38ON
Sat 11/27 Pittsburgh at Syracuse-12.058.5W 31 - 14UY
Sat 12/4 Pittsburgh vs Wake Forest-3.572.5W 45 - 21UY
Thu 12/30 Pittsburgh vs Michigan State+3.555.0L 21 - 31UN

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Pittsburgh's Schedule
Michigan State's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/3 Michigan State at Northwestern+3.045.5W 38 - 21OY
Sat 9/11 Michigan State vs Youngstown State-28.552.0W 42 - 14ON
Sat 9/18 Michigan State at Miami+7.057.5W 38 - 17UY
Sat 9/25 Michigan State vs Nebraska-3.555.0W 23 - 20UN
Sat 10/2 Michigan State vs Western Kentucky-10.566.5W 48 - 31OY
Sat 10/9 Michigan State at Rutgers-4.550.0W 31 - 13UY
Sat 10/16 Michigan State at Indiana-3.548.5W 20 - 15UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/30 Michigan State vs Michigan+4.050.5W 37 - 33OY
Sat 11/6 Michigan State at Purdue-2.553.0L 29 - 40ON
Sat 11/13 Michigan State vs Maryland-11.560.0W 40 - 21OY
Sat 11/20 Michigan State at Ohio State+19.570.5L 7 - 56UN
Sat 11/27 Michigan State vs Penn State+3.551.5W 30 - 27OY
Thu 12/30 Michigan State vs Pittsburgh-3.555.0W 31 - 21UY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Michigan State's Schedule
Important Stats (2020)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
PITT.1441%33.742%2.2912240%2603.41.1337%24.837%38%3.1668.51.51.7
MSU-.0233%24.628%2.179238%2392.49.1340%29.938%41%3.7165.12.91.4
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
PITT0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PITT Offense1133.73340.6%3.411.5213821222603.544%55%42%40%20%.14
MSU Defense729.927.839.6%3.711.4 - - - - - 48%52%38%41%16%.13
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PITT Defense1124.824.637.3%3.161.7 - - - - - 44%56%37%38%23%.13
MSU Offense724.624.833.2%2.492.916331922392.748%52%28%38%21%-.02

Additional Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Pittsburgh1131:0820.536%50%7.868.51.51.7104.1229.9
Michigan State727:1416.133%42%6.965.12.91.46.11.7025.7
Run Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
PITT Offense1144%42%35.3122.13.520.032.2969%13%0.91
MSU Defense748%38% - - - - -2.4264%10%1.06
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
PITT Defense1144%37% - - - - .012.2669%16%0.94
MSU Offense748%28%3492.12.72-.172.1763%13%0.9

Pass Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PITT Offense1155%40%22.438.7259.76.711.61412.251.634%31%.297%1.9
MSU Defense752%41% - - - - - - 5.261.533%36%.466%2
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PITT Defense1156%38% - - - - - - 14.221.837%30%.337%2.2
MSU Offense752%38%18.934.7238.96.912.71112.141.636%23%8%1.8

Pittsburgh's Power Ratings
Pittsburgh's Power Rating: NR
Pittsburgh's Offense Rating: NR
Pittsburgh's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #37
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Pittsburgh's 2021 Expected Record: -
Pittsburgh's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 17.6  #9
Pittsburgh's Offense SP+ Rating: 38.2  #9
Pittsburgh's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.4  #29

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Pittsburgh:    Michigan State: 5.6

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Pittsburgh: 17.6   Michigan State: 11.2




Michigan State's Power Ratings
Michigan State's Power Rating: 5.6 NR
Michigan State's Offense Rating: NR
Michigan State's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #36
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Michigan State's 2021 Expected Record: -
Michigan State's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 11.2  #28
Michigan State's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.3  #31
Michigan State's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Pittsburgh Scoring
Offense: 33.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 33
Defense: 24.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 24.6

Pittsburgh's 2021 Record
Record: 11 - 3
Record vs Spread: 10 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 8 - 6
Record on Road: 6 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 5 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Pittsburgh 31
Michigan State 25

Projected Total Points: 56
Michigan State Scoring
Offense: 24.6 PPG
Offense at Home: 24.8
Defense: 29.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 27.8

Michigan State's 2021 Record
Record: 11 - 2
Record vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record at home: 6 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 5 - 3 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202112/30Michigan State31Pittsburgh21Michigan State -3.5Michigan State55.0Under
200709/15Michigan State17Pittsburgh13
200609/16Pittsburgh23Michigan State38
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Michigan State310 Overs
Pittsburgh001 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 11 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams1 - 20 - 10 - 00 - 1

Pittsburgh Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2021Peach Bowl Pittsburgh vs Michigan State+3.555.0L 21 - 31
2019Lane Bowl Pittsburgh vs Eastern Michigan-12.551.0W 34 - 30
2018N/A Pittsburgh vs Stanford+3.552.5L 13 - 14
2016Pinstripe Bowl Pittsburgh vs Northwestern-3.063.0L 24 - 31
2015Military Bowl Pittsburgh vs Navy+5.0L 28 - 44
Michigan State Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2021Peach Bowl Michigan State vs Pittsburgh-3.555.0W 31 - 21
2019Pinstripe Bowl Michigan State vs Wake Forest-3.550.5W 27 - 21
2018N/A Michigan State vs Oregon-1.047.0L 6 - 7
2017Holiday Bowl Michigan State vs Washington State-2.547.5W 42 - 17
2015CFP Semifinal Michigan State vs Alabama+9.5L 0 - 38
  
(#) PITT at (#) MSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatPITTMSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #9 #28
Perf GradeGrade #29 #36
OffenseOff #21 #26
DefenseDef #50 #43
Spec TeamsST #38 #126
TalentTal #37 #36
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
Pittsburgh on Offense
CategoryCat
PITT OffMSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #21 #43
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #9 #30
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Pittsburgh Run Game
CategoryCat
PITT OffMSU Def
Run GameRun #24 #20
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #96 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #109
Pittsburgh Pass Game
CategoryCat
PITT OffMSU Def
Pass GamePass #1 #91
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #38 #20
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Michigan State on Offense
CategoryCatMSU OffPITT Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #26 #50
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #31 #29
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Michigan State Run Game
CategoryCat
MSU OffPITT Def
Run GameRun #51 #21
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #29 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #47
Michigan State Pass Game
CategoryCatMSU OffPITT Def
Pass GamePass #61 #75
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #22 #65
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
MSU 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'21 Profile: Remains Average P4

PITT 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'21 Profile: Up to Title Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 1
Michigan State -3.5 (55.0)
Michigan State won vs Pittsburgh this year (31-21)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
PITT's OC Mark Whipple (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Pittsburgh's Full Roster

PITT's DC Randy Bates (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

MSU's OC Jay Johnson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Michigan State's Full Roster

MSU's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD