Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Toledo Rockets 12/26/24 – The Toledo Rockets and the Pittsburgh Panthers will be crossing paths for the first time in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field. There are the same records for both the teams but their forms of late tell a somewhat different story. The Pittsburgh Panthers are looking to snap out of a 5 game slump, while the Toledo Rockets are looking to end their season on a high note after battling injuries all season long. With Bowl season on the brink, expect intensity and a lot of passion from both sides.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Toledo Rockets 12/26/24
| When: | Thursday, December 26, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ford Field |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | -6.5 (-115) | 51.5 Over +100 | -250 |  |
| Rockets | +6.5 (-105) | 51.5 Under -120 | +210 | |
| ||||
BOWL WEEK IN THE MOTOR CITY 🙌
🚀 Pitt vs Toledo
🤝 @GameAboveBowl
🗓️ Thursday, Dec 26th
⏰ 2PM ET
📍 @fordfieldMake all your picks for this Bowl Season with the official @BowlSeason Pick ‘Em: https://t.co/8pkz5sFakZ#HailToPitt pic.twitter.com/F4yZ5jKrwL
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) December 23, 2024
Pittsburgh is given 6.5 points despite their performance which indicates that their roster is promising. The total of 51.5 suggests a low-scoring game that features good value, especially on the under since both teams have been ineffective. Because Toledo has a tendency to make tight matches, betting on them to cover the spread might be a smart move.
Nate Yarnell QB vs. Tucker Gleason QB
Nate Yarnell of Pittsburgh is having a season that is quite literally a season of a sale, as it features a haul of 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions accompanied by 1,056 passing yards. Not only his average completion rate speak volumes of inconsistency at 58.7%, but his campaign was also affected due to the 17 sacks he had to take. There is much pressure on Yarnell as he needs to develop a good rapport with the receiver, Konata Mumpfield, who has already managed to grab five touchdowns and accumulate 813 yards.
Gleason has better stats as compared to Yarnell; he boasts a figure of 2,457 for passing yards, along with 22 touchdowns to his name. His 61.8% completion percentage shows that he is pretty accurate with his throws, while the 140.9 passer rating also explains his efficiency. Picking and throwing the ball only seems to be second nature to him, as he has been intercepted 7 times. Gleason has a lot of weapons at his disposal, with Jerjuan Newton being one of them, as he has racked up 949 yards and 11 touchdowns and has been a perfect fit in the offensive scheme.
Panthers Look to Rebound
The Pittsburgh Panthers have suffered five consecutive losses, amongst them losses to Louisville and Clemson. Yarnell was not very efficient as the offensive line had 17 sacks against them. The ground was not effective with Davis Jr. as a running back but Mumpfield offered some hope in terms of receiving performances. In spite of all these concerns, having defeated other MAC schools in the past should give the Panthers a lot of confidence.
Rockets Seek Consistency
Toledo’s season drew to a close after their second consecutive defeat to Ohio and Akron. However, they did pick up some significant wins against Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. The combination of Gleason’s throws and Newton’s trusted catches has helped the Rockets remain in the race. This has mostly been due to their struggling rushing attack led by Connor Walendzak, that has only averaged 3.7 yards per attempt. To be able to make the Panthers’s challenge, Toledo will need to have a more cohesive approach.
Trends
Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends
1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
Total has gone UNDER in 6 of their last 8 games.
10-2 SU in their last 12 games against MAC opponents.
4-1 SU in their last 5 December games.
Toledo Rockets Betting Trends
1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
Total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 games.
7-0 SU in their last 7 Thursday games.
Total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 6 December games.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Toledo Rockets Betting Previews
The Panthers get in as favorites, although there are concerns of their most recent form and whether or not it will allow them to cover the spread. While Newton and Gleason are key players for Toledo, they can hurt the weaknesses Pittsburgh have in their Defence. However, with both teams struggling to score, it remains to be seen how relevant the total of 51.5 will be to the bettors who are taking the under.
Toledo’s unbeaten record on Thursdays at 7-0 does create a pattern Toledo’s record in Pittsburgh in December gives them an advantage when competing in bowl game situations. This is forecasted to be an on-and-off game, with Toledo making the spread and the game finishing under prediction
Score Prediction: Pittsburgh Panthers 24, Toledo Rockets 20.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: December 26, 2024
Last updated: March 26, 2025