Central Michigan at Pittsburgh - 2025 Matchup Preview
Central Michigan logo Central Michigan Chippewas at Pittsburgh PanthersPittsburgh logo
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 (1 - 2) (1 - 2 - 0)
Coach Matt Drinkall (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 12 - 41 (12 - 41 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.2 - 7.8 (#112)
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 -35   (SP+ PITT -33)

Projected Score: CMU: 9 - PITT: 44 (53)
PITT Win prob: 95% | Cover: 49%
CMU Travel: 326 miles
Panthers (2 - 1) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Pat Narduzzi (72 - 55)
Avg Score : 43 - 19 (53 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.2 - 5.8 (#78)
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)
 
Central Michigan's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Central Michigan at San José State+11.550.5W 16 - 14UY
Sat 9/6 Central Michigan at Pittsburgh+21.548.5L 17 - 45ON
Sat 9/13 Central Michigan at Michigan+27.542.5L 3 - 63ON
Sat 9/20 Central Michigan vs Wagner-2
Sat 9/27 Central Michigan vs Eastern Michigan+1
Sat 10/4 Central Michigan at Akron+5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Central Michigan at Bowling Green+13
Sat 10/25 Central Michigan vs Massachusetts-5
Sat 11/1 Central Michigan at Western Michigan+6.5
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/12 Central Michigan vs Buffalo+14.5
Wed 11/19 Central Michigan at Kent State+4.5
Sat 11/29 Central Michigan vs Toledo+27

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
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Pittsburgh vs Duquesne-39.558.5W 61 - 9OY
Sat 9/6 Pittsburgh vs Central Michigan-21.548.5W 45 - 17OY
Sat 9/13 Pittsburgh at West Virginia-6.554.5L 24 - 31ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Pittsburgh vs Louisville+3.5
Sat 10/4 Pittsburgh vs Boston College-5.5
Sat 10/11 Pittsburgh at Florida State+11.5
Sat 10/18 Pittsburgh at Syracuse-2
Sat 10/25 Pittsburgh vs NC State-4.5
Sat 11/1 Pittsburgh at Stanford-9.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Pittsburgh vs Notre Dame+5.5
Sat 11/22 Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech+4.5
Sat 11/29 Pittsburgh vs Miami+13

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 SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
CMU#122 (.05)33% (130)1234% (122)2.69 (100)12232% (124)1173.58 (89)#125 (.34)48% (121)40.745% (99)52% (124)4.7 (114)3811.7
PITT#39 (.31)46% (48)43.348% (47)2.54 (106)11246% (51)3153.83 (78)#59 (.11)30% (13)1929% (12)31% (23)4.46 (105)7211
 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
CMU#96 (.15)39% (115)42% (88)3.2 (41)16934% (124)1633.82 (80)#96 (.21)40% (44)41% (48)39% (50)3.6 (45)60.920.4
PITT#91 (.15)42% (85)45% (56)3.1 (53)11939% (97)2564.11 (49)#35 (.12)38% (25)38% (20)38% (38)3.68 (57)58.21.31.2



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CMU Offense3121232.9%3.58114239122117363%37%34%32%17%.05
PITT Defense3191330.2%4.461 - - - - - 53%47%29%31%21%.11
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CMU Defense340.740.748.5%4.71.7 - - - - - 40%59%45%52%10%.34
PITT Offense343.35346.5%3.831194271123153.943%57%48%46%18%.31

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Central Michigan332:2713.731%44%5.73811.720.7030.7
Pittsburgh325:3719.338%50%7.772119.73.7137.7
Run Game Stats (2025)
 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
CMU Offense363% (11)34% (122)41.312232 (109)- (108)2.69 (100)70% (79)13% (125)0.95 (71)
PITT Defense353% (99)29% (12) - - - - -.04 (35)2.05 (13)77% (98)16% (8)1.07 (93)
 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
CMU Defense340% (12)45% (99) - - - - .19 (106)3 (91)67% (53)3% (135)1.02 (84)
PITT Offense343% (112)48% (47)28.7112.33.95 (62).15 (62)2.54 (106)77% (45)10% (83)1 (57)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CMU Offense337% (125)32% (124)1320117.35.991 (123)1 (23).15 (103)1.5 (79)40% (129)17% (130).16 (109)4% (51)2.2 (45)
PITT Defense347% (40)31% (23) - - - - - - 2 (56).28 (94)1.7 (109)39% (13)16% (15).13 (38)5% (91)2.2 (98)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CMU Defense359% (124)52% (124) - - - - - - 4 (12).5 (120)1.6 (83)28% (113)40% (126).69 (130)7% (48)2 (72)
PITT Offense357% (28)46% (51)2335.33158.913.710 (7)3 (92).48 (29)1.7 (29)28% (45)36% (37).55 (30)8% (122)2.1 (53)

Central Michigan's Power Ratings
Central Michigan's Power Rating: -20.37 #130
Central Michigan's Offense Rating: 1.25 #129
Central Michigan's Defense Rating: 21.66 #124
2025 Talent Rating: 514.00 #116
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Central Michigan's 2025 Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8
Central Michigan's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -22.9 #132
Central Michigan's Offense SP+ Rating: 13.5 #132
Central Michigan's Defense SP+ Rating: 36.5 #124

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 567.54
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Central Michigan: -20.37   Pittsburgh: 13.115

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Central Michigan: -22.9   Pittsburgh: 10.0




Pittsburgh's Power Ratings
Pittsburgh's Power Rating: 13.115 #51
Pittsburgh's Offense Rating: 15.01 #53
Pittsburgh's Defense Rating: 3.78 #49
2025 Talent Rating: 786.00 #58
Blue Chip Ratio: 4 #56
Pittsburgh's 2025 Expected Record: 6.2 - 5.8
Pittsburgh's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 10.0 #37
Pittsburgh's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.0 #33
Pittsburgh's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.2 #46

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Central Michigan Scoring
Offense: 12 PPG
Offense on Road: 12
Defense: 40.7 PPG
Defense on Road: 40.7

Central Michigan's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record on Road: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Pittsburgh 44
Central Michigan 9


Total Points: 53

Pittsburgh Scoring
Offense: 43.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 53
Defense: 19 PPG
Defense at Home: 13

Pittsburgh's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record at home: 2 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/06Pittsburgh45Central Michigan17PittsburghPittsburgh -21.5Pittsburgh48.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Pittsburgh111 Overs
Central Michigan000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#130) Central Michigan Info
Power Rating: -20.37 #130
Offense Rating: 1.25 #129
Defense Rating: 21.66 #124
Overall SP+ Rating: -22.9 #132
Offense SP+ Rating: 13.5 #132
Defense SP+ Rating: 36.5 #124
Talent Rating: 514.00 #116
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #101
Expected Record: 4.2 - 7.8

Team Profile
Very Run heavy Offense 63%, Pass: 37%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 33%
Awful Offensive Explosiveness
Poor in Scoring Position 3.58 PPO
Awful Run Success 34%
Awful Pass Success 32%
Awful OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Bad DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 48%
Awful in Scoring Position 4.7 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 45%
Awful Pass Def Success 52%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

Central Michigan has won 1 straight
Central Michigan has won 1 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 1 - 2 (1 - 2 - 0 vs Spread )

Central Michigan Notes
(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.
(3/26) New OC Chapin had success at E Wash

Central Michigan Highlights
Central Michigan defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#12)

Central Michigan Deficiencies
Central Michigan has a really bad Offense
Central Michigan Can Not Run the Ball (#102)
Central Michigan offense is really bad (#130)
Central Michigan run game is really bad (#122)
Central Michigan pass game is really bad (#124)
Central Michigan offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Central Michigan Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Central Michigan does not Sack the QB (#122)
Central Michigan has a bad defense (#121)
Central Michigan has a bad red zone defense (#114)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatPITTCMU
OverallOver#11#110
OffenseOff#56#104
DefenseDef#3#106
Special TeamsST#16#71
PassingPass#87#88
RushingRush#36#89
Run BlockRBLK#40#113
Pass BlockPBLK#37#120
Route RunningWR Rt#51#50
TacklingTkl#9#99
Run DefenseR Def#4#106
Pass Rush DefPRush#3#72
Coverage DefCov#28#111

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Acrisure Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: CMU | PITT
Depth Chart: CMU | PITT
Rosters: CMU | PITT
(#51) Pittsburgh Info
Power Rating: 13.115 #51
Offense Rating: 15.01 #53
Defense Rating: 3.78 #49
Overall SP+ Rating: 10.0 #37
Offense SP+ Rating: 33.0 #33
Defense SP+ Rating: 23.2 #46
Talent Rating: 786.00 #58
Blue Chip Ratio: 4 #56
Expected Record: 6.2 - 5.8

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 43%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 46%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Bad in Scoring Position 3.83 PPO
Avg Run Success 48%
Avg Pass Success 46%
Avg OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Great Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 30%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.46 PPO
Great Run Def Success 29%
Good Pass Def Success 31%
Great Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Pittsburgh has won 1 straight
Pittsburgh has won 1 straight at Home
Record at home: 2 - 0 (2 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Pittsburgh Notes
(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
(6/14) RB Reid one of ACC best. Must find depth
(6/14) OC Bell an upgrade LY, DC Bates improved D.
(4/4) LB K. Louis/R. Biles both top 10 LBs via PFF
(3/21) QB Holstein back, was OK LY. Same OC
(3/21) Don't know what Pitt wants to be in NIL era

Pittsburgh Highlights
Pittsburgh is Undefeated at Home
Pittsburgh is Undefeated vs Spread at Home

Pittsburgh offense is explosive (#25)
Pittsburgh Defense Sacks the QB a lot

Pittsburgh has a really good defense (#13)
Pittsburgh has a good run defense (#12)
Pittsburgh has a good pass defense (#23)
Pittsburgh Stuffs a lot of Run Plays (#14)
Pittsburgh Defensive Line is very good (#13)
Pittsburgh Front 7 is disruptive (#8)

Pittsburgh Deficiencies
Pittsburgh Can Not Run the Ball (#114)
Pittsburgh Commits a Lot of Penalties (#109)
Pittsburgh has a bad red zone defense (#105)


  
Central Michigan's OC Jim Chapin
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Joey Labas203263%181115.7
Angel H Flores121867%93005.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Trey Cornist (Tr)3112814.129
Angel H Flores3012404.120
Nahree Biggins2811404.117
Brock Townsend6801.34
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tommy Mcintosh585017.047
Justin Ruffin Jr.64207.018
Langston Lewis339013.021
Tyson Davis63606.013

View Central Michigan's Full Roster
Central Michigan's DC Sean Cronin
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jordan Kwiatkowski171001
Elijah Gordon160001
Dakota Cochran150010
Caleb Spann150002
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Heldman82100
Fernando Sanchez III81110
Jordan Kwiatkowski171001
Keshawn Hayden40000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Spann150002
Kalen Carroll (Tr)140002
Daniel Bennett30002

Pittsburgh's OC Kade Bell
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Eli Holstein588866%822939.3
Cole Gonzales (Tr)81650%87105.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Desmond Reid2414215.953
Juelz Goff218424.017
Eli Holstein255012.031
Ja'Kyrian Turner103513.59
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Raphael Williams13285321.967
Bryce Yates4143135.868
Kenny Johnson886110.820
Cataurus Hicks (Tr)784212.022

View Pittsburgh's Full Roster
Pittsburgh's DC Randy Bates
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rasheem Biles293032
Cruce Brookins230002
Kyle Louis194200
Braylan Lovelace181011
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kyle Louis194200
Joseph Zelinsky42210
Zach Crothers153210
Blaine Spires (Tr)103220
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rasheem Biles293032
Cruce Brookins230002
Braylan Lovelace181011