Southern Methodist vs. Pittsburgh: College Football Picks

Pitt opened as a -6 point favorite but early college football betting action quickly lowered the number to -3 or -3.5 at most sportsbooks. The total opened at 49 but is now 47. Coverage of the game will be provided by ESPN2 and ESPN3.

In most cases the players get the headlines, but this time it’s the coaches—the one who is here and the one who isn’t— who are getting the majority of the publicity.

The Panthers (6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS) will be playing their first game since Todd Graham's abrupt and some say cowardly departure to leave Pitt for Arizona State. The story also has a unique twist, as the ASU job was first offered to SMU's head coach June Jones.

Jones was thought to be headed to Arizona State to take over for the fired Dennis Erickson, but after both sides agreeing to terms, Arizona State, without explanation rescinded its offer. So instead of bringing in Jones, the Sun Devils hired Graham. The final twist to the bizarre affair came when Graham informed the players of his decision to leave via text message. Good luck to Graham and Arizona State who appear to be meant for each other.

With Graham gone, the job has fallen into the hands of defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, Pitt's fifth full-time/interim coach in 13 months. Pitt named Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst as its new head coach on December 22. 

Will Pittsburgh be able to cover as the small favorites, or will the coaching changes end up costing this team a victory? See who I am backing with my college football picks in this matchup.

Panthers Bowl streak

The Panthers have been tested all year long, and that should be the difference tonight. All six of their losses, with four by four or less points, were against bowl teams.

Pitt is seeking a third consecutive bowl victory, having beaten Kentucky 27-10 in last season's Compass Bowl with another interim coach, Phil Bennett, who took over when Dave Wannstedt was fired.

Junior running back Ray Graham was lost to a season-ending knee injury during a win over Connecticut on Oct. 26. Graham had 958 yards in eight games.

Senior Zach Brown, a transfer from Wisconsin, and freshman Issac Bennett combined for 422 yards over the final four games. Brown should play in the bowl game after missing the season finale, a 33-20 win over against Syracuse on Dec. 3 due to a bruised sternum.

Jones stays with SMU

SMU (7-5 SU, 4-8 ATS) will be without leading rusher, Zach Line, who underwent season-ending toe surgery Nov. 17. The junior had 1,224 yards and 17 touchdowns and was two scores shy of matching Eric Dickerson's single-season school record. Line is the fifth player in school history to record multiple 1,000-yard seasons.

The Mustangs will try to replace him with a pair of freshman running backs in Rishaad Wimbley and Jared Williams. Wimbley had only 14 carries for 48 yards all season before rushing for 115 and two touchdowns on 20 attempts in a regular season-ending 27-24 win over Rice on Nov. 26. Williams gained 80 yards in that game and also scored his first TD.

SMU receivers Darius Johnson and Cole Beasley are both closing in on 1,000-yard campaigns. Johnson has a team-leading 998 yards on 72 receptions, while Beasley has caught a team-best 79 passes for 954 yards.

Senior quarterback J.J. McDermott replaced Kyle Padron as the starter during the season opener and never relinquished the job. McDermott has 3,182 yards and 16 touchdowns but was also was intercepted 16 times.

Trends

The Big East is a perfect 5-0 in this bowl’s five year history, with five different schools (South Florida, Cincinnati, Rutgers, Connecticut, Pitt) getting the wins.

SMU is in its third bowl game since emerging from the NCAA's death penalty in 1989.

Harvey’s Take: For every Baylor vs. Washington shootout, you get one of these games. Neither team has any playmakers but Pitt has played the stronger schedule and has the better defense. Add the Panthers and the under to your college bowl picks.

Good luck!