NCAA Week 5 Football Betting - Pittsburgh Panthers at Syracuse Orange

The Syracuse Orange (1-3 SU, 0-3 ATS), buoyed perhaps by their first win of the year, albeit over a Division 1-AA team, will play host to the Pittsburgh Panthers (2-1 SU, 0-3 ATS) on Saturday in NCAA college football action that is slated to kick off at Noon ET at the Carrier Dome (artificial turf) in Syracuse.

Saturday, September 27

BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: PITTSBURGH -15.5, Total 46.5

Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* PITT has covered one of its last five games
* PITT has played eight of its last nine games UNDER the total
* PITT has covered four of its last five road games
* PITT has lost six of its last seven road games SU
* PITT has played four of its last five road games UNDER the total
* SYR has lost seven of its last eight games SU
* SYR has lost four of its last five home games SU

Also....

* PITT has covered four of the last six meetings
* PITT has won five of the last six meetings SU

The 30-21 win over Northeastern last weekend isn't necessarily a buy signal for Syracuse at this time, and you must recognize that even though senior QB Cameron Dantley was a sharp 14 for 17 in last Saturday's game, he was 50% in the two games he's played against Division I teams.

Is Pittsburgh going places? The Panthers lost the season opener to Bowling Green, then labored against Buffalo and barely squeaked by Iowa. Now it's the first time on the road this season for Pitt, with a tough, nationally-ranked South Florida team coming up five days later. So excuse Dave Wannstedt if he is not able to bring his team to full focus for this opponent that ranks 114th in total defense. However, Syracuse is giving up over five yards a carry, which should be inviting for LeSean McCoy. True, McCoy does not seem to have gotten himself in to second gear, and Pitt beats itself with drive-killing turnovers, but can't those problems be remedied against the Orange, who are in the bottom 20 in both total offense and defense?

Yes, perhaps. One of the things that is particularly unattractive about Syracuse is the fact that they don't seem to have any advantage in the Carrier Dome. In fact, quite the contrary - they have misfired the last seven times they have been posted as the home underdog. Bill Stull (57%, one TD) has not paid the dividends Panther fans hoped he would, and Pitt has not justified the pre-season national ranking it was given, but they have the best player on the field, by far, in McCoy, and a level of talent that far out-distances that which is at the disposal of coach Greg Robinson.

Let's lay the points with Pittsburgh, the 15.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA college football betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: PITTSBURGH -15.5 **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

The 2008 NCAA college football betting season is here, and if you like to bet on college gridiron action, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has college football odds up on a ton of games, totals and propositions, and you will also find NCAA future lines up to the BCS Championship as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to the bowl games and beyond!

(Charles Jay of http://www.ebookies.com gives it more than the old college try as a contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)