The Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) square off against the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-0) at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

The Panthers are very big favorites (currently -21.5) in their matchup against the Chippewas, with the over/under being 49.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Panthers are -2041 and the Chippewas are +1016.)

Below you’ll find our preview for this this game between the Panthers and the Chippewas, and discover all of our betting picks here, too!

Pittsburgh vs. Central Michigan betting lines

• Spread favorite: Panthers (-21.5)
• Moneyline: Panthers (-2041), Chippewas (+1016)
• Total: 49.5 points
• TV Channel: ESPN U
• Live Stream: Fubo

Pittsburgh vs. Central Michigan betting info and stats

Pittsburgh has won just one game against the spread so far this season (1-0-0). Pittsburgh has always covered the spread when the favorite by at least 21.5 points (a 1-0 ATS record). In one game as the moneyline favorite, Pittsburgh won. Central Michigan, in one game with a spread so far this season, has not lost (1-0-0) against the spread. Central Michigan has been the underdog on the moneyline once this season, and won that game.

Pittsburgh vs. Central Michigan key players

Pittsburgh Panthers

• Last season Eli Holstein put up 2,228 passing yards (222.8 per game), a 62.1% completion percentage (180-for-290), 17 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. He also added 328 rushing yards on 81 carries with three rushing TDs (averaging 32.8 yards per game).
• Last season Desmond Reid went to work rushing, for 962 yards on 183 attempts (80.2 yards per game) with five touchdowns. Reid also collected 52 catches for 579 yards and four TDs.
• Konata Mumpfield reeled in 52 catches for 813 yards (67.8 per game) while being targeted 84 times. He also scored five touchdowns.
• Kenny Johnson’s stat line last season: 537 receiving yards, 46 catches, three touchdowns, on 74 targets.
• Kyle Louis did his thing last season with a huge stat line of 7.0 sacks, 13.0 TFL, 83 tackles, and four interceptions.
• Donovan McMillon was a wrecking ball on the field, collecting 89 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one interception last year.
• Last season Louis had a huge stat line of four interceptions, 83 tackles, 13.0 TFL, seven sacks, and four passes defended.

Central Michigan Chippewas

• Joey Labas averaged 159.1 pass yards per outing and threw for seven touchdowns last season.
• Marion Lukes averaged 65.7 rushing yards and scored five rushing touchdowns. Lukes added 1.3 receptions per game to average 16.0 receiving yards.
• Last season BJ Harris rushed for 418 yards. He also scored three total touchdowns.
• Chris Parker averaged 36.0 yards on 2.9 receptions per game and compiled three receiving touchdowns in 2024.
• Solomon Davis collected two touchdowns and had 350 receiving yards (29.2 ypg) in 2024.
• Evan Boyd worked his way to two receiving touchdowns and 302 receiving yards (33.6 ypg) last season.
• Jason Williams proved to be a strong defender last year, recording 5.5 sacks, 7.0 TFL and 35 tackles.
• Jordan Kwiatkowski had a stellar defensive performance last season with 66 tackles, 9.0 TFL, and one interception.
• A year ago Aakeem Snell tallied one pass defended as well as one interception.