With a 4-4 conference record, the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5) earned a third-place finish in the ACC Coastal Division. The Panthers ended up tied with the Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels. The #24 Virginia Cavaliers were first in the Coastal Division with a 6-2 conference mark. The Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-6) finished last in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. They did so with a 3-5 conference record. The Central Michigan Chippewas, who ended the regular season at 6-2, topped the West.
2019 Quick Lane Bowl Pick – Regular Season
All season long, Eastern Michigan could not win more than two games in a row. In the first half of the season, they went 3-3, and in the second half, they recorded the same mark. Highlights included beating the Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten and Western Michigan, which finished second in the MAC – West. Losses to division-winners Central Michigan and to other West Division teams, including Ball State and Toledo, were devastating.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles – Stats
The Pittsburgh D is allowing 21.8 YPG. Total defensive yards given up stand at 302.5. That total includes 195.6 passing yards and 106.9 rushing yards. The Eagles are allowing opponents 30.3 PPG. Total defensive yards come to a hefty 428.3 per game. Included are 202.4 ground yards and 225.8 air yards. Although Eastern Michigan has a sound offense, they’ll be facing a tough defense. At the same time, the EMU defense looks to have a difficult time holding back the Panther attack.
Pittsburgh at Eastern Michigan – Players
The Panthers offense is relatively weak, but we expect them to be able to generate points against a very thin EMU defense. Although the Eagle offense can put points on the scoreboard, they will be facing a stalwart Pitts defense, which should stifle some of their productivity.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh brings a daunting pass rush. Of the team’s 49 sacks, DL Jaylen Twyman, DL Patrick Jones II, and LB Kylan Johnson have 10.5, 8.5, and 6.5 respectively. Although Pitt has just eight picks, they have accumulated 65 PD. Dammari Mathis and Paris Ford each have 11 PD and Dane Jackson 12. The three also account for five picks with Ford nabbing three including one pick six.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
The EMU defense has recorded just 20 sacks and 37 PD. They have grabbed 11 picks and forced 15 fumbles, recovering seven. DB Brody Hoying and LB Kobie Beltran are top-notch performers. Beltran leads the team with 115 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and three fumbles recovered. Hoying has five PD, four INTs, and two FF.
Five Keys to the Game
Our 2019 Quick Lane Bowl pick finds the following are keys to this contest:
- If EMU QB Glass can duck Pitt’s sack unit, the Eagles will score
- The Panthers must take advantage of Eastern Michigan’s thin D
- Eagles look to cause turnovers
- Panther pass rush can be daunting
- Eastern Michigan must use all offensive weapons and keep Pitt guessing
Our 2019 Quick Lane Bowl Pick
The question is can the Panthers exploit the EMU defense? If they can, then we expect they will win big. The Panthers could score 30-plus points against the Eagles. On the other hand, Eastern Michigan should put about 20 on the scoreboard. That means our 2019 Quick Lane Bowl pick is the Pittsburgh Panthers at -11.0. We can see this ending at around 33 – 21. We also like the over (49).
In addition to our other December 26 pick, which is the Independence Bowl, we are also offering predictions for all remaining bowl games, including the Military Bowl, which is one of five being played on December 27. Also, see our page linking bettors to all 2019 – 2010 bowl games.
