ASA play on 8* #144 Pittsburgh -7 vs. West Virginia, Thursday 7 PM ET - We are backing the host in this “Backyard Brawl” between the Panthers and Mountaineers. An interesting dynamic for both teams will be quarterback play. The Panthers replace NFL’er Kenny Pickett with USC transfer Kedon Slovis. Slovis slides into a perfect offense that features its entire starting line and depth in the backfield. Slovis has 58 career TD’s and has completed 68.4% of his passes. West Virginia also gets a former USC quarterback this season in JT Daniels. Daniels now gets his opportunity after being injured and sitting behind Georgia QB Bennett last season. There are a few big advantages for Pitt in this game which will be the difference maker. The Panthers will have a very balanced offense (was 47th in efficiency a year ago) and can pound the ball with RB Abanikanda who rushed for 7 TD’s and 651 yards in just six games a year ago. West Virginia has 5 starters back on the O-line but they were last in the Big 12 in sacks allowed and tackles for a loss last season. Pitt is deep on defense with 8 returning starters and that unit led the ACC in rushing defense, was 2nd in the nation in sacks and 5th in tackles for a loss. The Panthers were 18th in defensive efficiency and gave up 24PPG. The Neers have just 3 starters back on that side of the football from a unit that was 32nd in DEFF. We expect a regression for the Mountaineers defense that gave up nearly 26PPG and 5.6 yards per play (76th). Last year at home the Panthers won by +16.4PPG and are 8-3 ATS their last eleven at home. West Virginia is 1-6 ATS their last seven as a road dog and they’ve lost those games by an average of -12.4PPG. We like Pittsburgh to get a double-digit win in this one.