Central Michigan at Pittsburgh - 2025 Matchup Preview

Central Michigan Chippewas at Pittsburgh Panthers

Saturday, September 6th 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
Pittsburgh -21.5 (48.5) (-1800) Open: -21.5 | 53.0
Pittsburgh 45 - Central Michigan: 17

Chippewas (7 - 6) (8 - 5 - 0)
Coach Matt Drinkall (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 23 - 24 (19 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.3 - 5.7 (#66)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)

CMU 2nd straight Road Game
PITT 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Pittsburgh -17.5 (SP+ PITT -15)
Projected Score: CMU: 16 - PITT: 34 (50)
PITT Win prob: 95% | Cover: 49%
CMU Travel: 326 miles

Panthers (8 - 5) (8 - 5 - 0)
Coach Pat Narduzzi (72 - 55)
Avg Score : 34 - 25 (37 - 25 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 4.5 (#42)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 2) (Good: 4) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 2)

Matchup
Schedules
CMU Players
PITT Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Central Michigan's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Fri 8/29	Central Michigan at San José State	+11.5	50.5	W 16 - 14	U	Y
Sat 9/6	Central Michigan at Pittsburgh	+21.5	48.5	L 17 - 45	O	N
Sat 9/13	Central Michigan at Michigan	+27.5	42.5	L 3 - 63	O	N
Sat 9/20	Central Michigan vs Wagner	-29.0	47.0	W 49 - 10	O	Y
Sat 9/27	Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan	-3.0	55.5	W 24 - 13	U	Y
Sat 10/4	Central Michigan at Akron	-7.0	47.5	L 22 - 28	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18	Central Michigan at Bowling Green	+3.0	43.5	W 27 - 6	U	Y
Sat 10/25	Central Michigan vs Massachusetts	-16.5	46.5	W 38 - 13	O	Y
Sat 11/1	Central Michigan at Western Michigan	+6.0	43.5	L 21 - 24	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Wed 11/12	Central Michigan vs Buffalo	-2.5	44.5	W 38 - 19	O	Y
Wed 11/19	Central Michigan at Kent State	-7.5	50.5	W 28 - 16	U	Y
Sat 11/29	Central Michigan vs Toledo	+11.5	46.5	L 3 - 21	U	N
Fri 12/26	Central Michigan vs Northwestern	+13.5	43.5	L 7 - 34	U	N

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 7
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Central Michigan's Schedule

Pittsburgh's 2025 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/30	Pittsburgh vs Duquesne	-39.5	58.5	W 61 - 9	O	Y
Sat 9/6	Pittsburgh vs Central Michigan	-21.5	48.5	W 45 - 17	O	Y
Sat 9/13	Pittsburgh at West Virginia	-6.5	54.5	L 24 - 31	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27	Pittsburgh vs Louisville	+3.0	53.5	L 27 - 34	O	N
Sat 10/4	Pittsburgh vs Boston College	-6.5	54.5	W 48 - 7	O	Y
Sat 10/11	Pittsburgh at Florida State	+10.5	56.5	W 34 - 31	O	Y
Sat 10/18	Pittsburgh at Syracuse	-9.5	54.5	W 30 - 13	U	Y
Sat 10/25	Pittsburgh vs NC State	-5.5	52.5	W 53 - 34	O	Y
Sat 11/1	Pittsburgh at Stanford	-13.5	51.5	W 35 - 20	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15	Pittsburgh vs Notre Dame	+12.5	55.5	L 15 - 37	U	N
Sat 11/22	Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech	+2.5	61.5	W 42 - 28	O	Y
Sat 11/29	Pittsburgh vs Miami	+6.5	49.5	L 7 - 38	U	N
Sat 12/27	Pittsburgh vs East Carolina	-13.5	51.5	L 17 - 23	U	N

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Pittsburgh's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
CMU	#70 (.17)	41% (89)	22.5	40% (103)	2.79 (102)	158	44% (41)	153	3.6 (79)	#38 (.1)	40% (45)	23.5	41% (56)	39% (43)	3.14 (27)	45.2	0.9	1.5
PITT	#59 (.19)	41% (95)	33.7	41% (96)	2.62 (123)	108	41% (76)	254	3.65 (76)	#33 (.09)	35% (11)	24.8	34% (7)	37% (27)	3.81 (83)	64.7	1.4	1.5

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
CMU	#96 (.15)	39% (115)		42% (88)	3.2 (41)	169	34% (124)	163	3.82 (80)	#96 (.21)	40% (44)		41% (48)	39% (50)	3.6 (45)	60.9	2	0.4
PITT	#91 (.15)	42% (85)		45% (56)	3.1 (53)	119	39% (97)	256	4.11 (49)	#35 (.12)	38% (25)		38% (20)	38% (38)	3.68 (57)	58.2	1.3	1.2

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
CMU Offense	13	22.5	19.1	41.1%	3.6	0.9	16	311	158	153	4.1	63%	35%	40%	44%	16%	.17
PITT Defense	13	24.8	25.1	35.2%	3.81	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	46%	52%	34%	37%	19%	.09

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
CMU Defense	13	23.5	28	39.5%	3.14	1.5	-	-	-	-	-	47%	51%	41%	39%	17%	.1
PITT Offense	13	33.7	36.6	40.6%	3.65	1.4	19	362	108	254	3.6	43%	55%	41%	41%	18%	.19

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Central Michigan	13	29:35	15.8	35%	60%	5.6	45.2	0.9	1.5	4.9	2.2	2	29
Pittsburgh	13	26:23	18.9	33%	61%	7.1	64.7	1.4	1.5	6.8	2.2	6	33.3

Run Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
CMU Offense	13	63% (7)	40% (103)	38.8	158.1	4.1	17 (78)	.07 (87)	2.79 (102)	75% (49)	12% (121)	0.92 (85)
PITT Defense	13	46% (27)	34% (7)	-	-	-	-	-.03 (9)	2.34 (5)	69% (53)	13% (9)	0.98 (80)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
CMU Defense	13	47% (39)	41% (56)	-	-	-	-	.04 (32)	2.83 (57)	62% (12)	10% (61)	0.9 (38)
PITT Offense	13	43% (115)	41% (96)	30	108.5	3.6	18 (70)	.06 (96)	2.62 (123)	67% (96)	11% (106)	1.01 (54)

Pass Game Stats (2025)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
CMU Offense	13	35% (130)	44% (41)	11.9	17.5	153.4	8.8	12.9	15 (106)	6 (3)	.4 (23)	1.6 (40)	32% (73)	26% (115)	.31 (69)	4% (16)	2.1 (35)
PITT Defense	13	52% (107)	37% (27)	-	-	-	-	-	-	15 (31)	.21 (53)	1.6 (110)	37% (11)	26% (18)	.17 (20)	6% (49)	2.1 (95)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
CMU Defense	13	51% (97)	39% (43)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (12)	.19 (44)	1.5 (64)	32% (59)	27% (33)	.25 (55)	7% (24)	2 (74)
PITT Offense	13	55% (22)	41% (76)	20.3	32.6	253.8	7.8	12.5	28 (8)	14 (127)	.34 (39)	1.7 (28)	33% (104)	31% (63)	.35 (53)	8% (123)	2 (69)

Central Michigan's Power Ratings
Central Michigan's Power Rating: -5.43 #89
Central Michigan's Offense Rating: 4.11 #100
Central Michigan's Defense Rating: 9.54 #78
2025 Talent Rating: 514.00 #116
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Central Michigan's 2025 Expected Record: 7.3 - 5.7
Central Michigan's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -5.9 #92
Central Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.5 #115
Central Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.2 #57

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 567.54
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Central Michigan: -5.43 Pittsburgh: 11.98

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Central Michigan: -5.9 Pittsburgh: 9.0

Pittsburgh's Power Ratings
Pittsburgh's Power Rating: 11.98 #42
Pittsburgh's Offense Rating: 13.68 #47
Pittsburgh's Defense Rating: 3.72 #38
2025 Talent Rating: 786.00 #58
Blue Chip Ratio: 4 #56
Pittsburgh's 2025 Expected Record: 8.5 - 4.5
Pittsburgh's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.0 #36
Pittsburgh's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.1 #33
Pittsburgh's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.3 #50

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Central Michigan Scoring
Offense: 22.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.1
Defense: 23.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 28

Central Michigan's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 8 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record on Road: 3 - 4
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0

Projected Score
Pittsburgh 34
Central Michigan 16

Total Points: 50

Based on Last 4 Games
Pittsburgh 32
Central Michigan 16

Total Points: 48

Based on Entire Season
Pittsburgh 31
Central Michigan 23

Total Points: 54

Pittsburgh Scoring
Offense: 33.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.6
Defense: 24.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 25.1

Pittsburgh's 2025 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 8 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 9 - 4
Record at home: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 6 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 4 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	09/06	Pittsburgh	45	Central Michigan	17	Pittsburgh -21.5	Pittsburgh	48.5	Over

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Pittsburgh	1	1	1 Overs
Central Michigan	0	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	1 - 0	1 - 0	1 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 0	0 - 1

(#89) CMU at (#42) PITT

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	CMU	PITT
Power RatePwr	#89	#42
SP+SP+	#92	#36
Perf GradeGrade	#78	#59
OffenseOff	#75	#100
DefenseDef	#70	#24
Spec TeamsST	#117	#69
TalentTal	#116	#58
Blue ChipsBC%	#101	#56

Central Michigan Notes(10/31) QB1 Labas meh but QB2 Flores incredible runner
(10/31) 5-1 outside of paycheck games but lost @ Akron
(8/30) Ground & Pound offense, good vs SJSU 200+
(8/25) QB1 - Joe Labas starting, inj after 6 starts LY
(7/28) Is Drinkall running Army offense?
(6/12) Skill positions very weak on paper. Risers?
(3/26) QB Labas PT starter LY, Glasser has exp
(3/26) RB rebuild, Cornist (Tul) added, some depth
(3/26) WR complete rebuild, 13 rec back. No portals
(3/26) OL 3/5 back, meh LY. 4 portals, 3 via Valpo
(3/26) Def bad LY, return some. 3 portals
(3/26) New HC Drinkall was Army OL coach.
Central Michigan Injury Report

Pittsburgh Notes(11/16) No show vs ND, non competitive. Pitt isn't good
(10/25) Four W's in a row, killed NC St, Heintschel 400+
(10/12) QB Heintschel saved season. Chance 7-2 hosting ND
(10/9) Ton of injuries, and a lot of DL. See injury report
(10/4) QB Holstein benched, Fr Mason Heintschel starting
(10/4) RB D Reid missed L'ville, out for BC game
(10/4) QB Heintschel much better, raises Offense, new #1
(9/13) Run Off awful vs WVU, Red Zone issues too
(7/13) Look better TY esp Off, sleeper ACC pick
(7/13) WR #2+3 back, 3 portals. Shorter, but deep
(7/13) OL 3/5 back, 4 portals, top 3rd ACC line?
(7/13) Def decent LY, 8 portals, 3 DEs to find pass rush
Pittsburgh Injury Report

Central Michigan on Offense

Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	CMU Off	PITT Def
Perf GradePerf	#75	#24
SuccessSuc	#89	#11
ExplosiveExp	#110	#120
PPAPPA	#70	#33
PowerPwr	#100	#38
SP+SP+	#115	#50
Pts POPPO	#79	#83
HavocHav	#71	#16

Central Michigan Run Game

Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	CMU Off	PITT Def
Run GameRun	#66	#10
Run SuccessRSuc	#103	#7
Run ExplRExp	#85	#80
PPAExp	#87	#9
Run BlockR Blk	#87	-
OL YdsOLY	#102	#5
Stuff RateStuff	#81	#6
TackleTak	-	#11

Central Michigan Pass Game

Very Run heavy Offense 64%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat	CMU Off	PITT Def
Pass GamePass	#59	#33
Pass SuccessPSuc	#41	#27
Pass ExplPExl	#40	#110
PPAExp	#23	#53
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#134	#54
F7 HavocF7	#121	#9
DB HavocDB	#16	#49

Pittsburgh on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	CMU Def
Perf GradePerf	#100	#70
SuccessSuc	#95	#45
ExplosiveExp	#9	#55
PPAPPA	#59	#38
PowerPwr	#47	#78
SP+SP+	#33	#57
Pts POPPO	#76	#27
HavocHav	#120	#45

Pittsburgh Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	CMU Def
Run GameRun	#85	#117
Run SuccessRSuc	#96	#56
Run ExplRExp	#54	#38
PPAExp	#96	#32
Run BlockR Blk	#73	-
OL YdsOLY	#123	#57
Stuff RateStuff	#129	#29
TackleTak	-	#36

Pittsburgh Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	CMU Def
Pass GamePass	#119	#43
Pass SuccessPSuc	#76	#43
Pass ExplPExl	#28	#64
PPAExp	#39	#44
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#85	#21
F7 HavocF7	#106	#61
DB HavocDB	#123	#24

Program Comparison
PITT 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Up to Average P4

CMU 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg G5
'25 Profile: Up to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Acrisure Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 67° - Wind: 9 mph

Rematch from Week 2
Pittsburgh -21.5 (48.5)
Pittsburgh won vs Central Michigan this year (45-17)

No Matchups Past 4 Years

CMU's OC Jim Chapin (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Joey Labas	147	208	71%	1854	13	6	8.9
Angel H Flores	19	28	68%	195	2	1	7.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Nahree Biggins	105	540	2	5.1	58
Angel H Flores	107	527	8	4.9	37
Trey Cornist (Tr)	104	469	1	4.5	29
Brock Townsend	82	418	4	5.1	46

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Langston Lewis	43	596	3	13.9	77
Tommy Mcintosh	31	422	3	13.6	47
Tyson Davis	25	323	2	12.9	36
Nahree Biggins	19	185	1	9.7	88

View Central Michigan's Full Roster

CMU's DC Sean Cronin (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jordan Kwiatkowski	112	14	3	2	4
Dakota Cochran	81	6	1	5	3
Caleb Spann	54	1	0	0	4
Kalen Carroll (Tr)	49	2	0	1	4

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Michael Heldman	48	17	12	8	4
Korver Demma	28	9	4	5	1
Jordan Kwiatkowski	112	14	3	2	4
Jaion Jackson	45	4	2	2	7

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Brenden Deasfernandes	25	0	0	0	8
Jaion Jackson	45	4	2	2	7
Jordan Kwiatkowski	112	14	3	2	4

PITT's OC Kade Bell (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Mason Heintschel	201	316	64%	2357	16	8	7.5
Eli Holstein	77	125	62%	1081	12	6	8.6

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ja'Kyrian Turner	140	747	7	5.3	56
Desmond Reid	60	278	2	4.6	53
Juelz Goff	69	270	5	3.9	17
Eli Holstein	36	88	1	2.4	31

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Raphael Williams	52	741	7	14.3	67
Kenny Johnson	47	658	5	14.0	42
Cataurus Hicks (Tr)	24	422	4	17.6	84
Desmond Reid	23	317	2	13.8	50

View Pittsburgh's Full Roster

PITT's DC Randy Bates (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Rasheem Biles	100	17	5	4	4
Kyle Louis	79	8	3	3	3
Braylan Lovelace	79	6	1	6	2
Kavir Bains (Tr)	58	1	0	0	4

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Rasheem Biles	100	17	5	4	4
Jimmy Scott	17	8	4	8	1
Isaiah Neal	36	7	4	4	1
Kyle Louis	79	8	3	3	3

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Rashad Battle	42	2	1	0	5
Rasheem Biles	100	17	5	4	4
Kavir Bains (Tr)	58	1	0	0	4