Pitt Football 12/26/24 Against Toledo Preview

S. Samek

After a rough second half of the season, Pitt looks to end on a winning note during bowl game.

Pitt started the season with seven wins in a row, before dropping their last five games to finish the year 7-5. This earned them an invitation to the Game Above Sports Bowl where they will face Toledo.

Toledo also finished 7-5 with a 4-4 record in the MAC Conference. They enter the game on a two-game losing streak.

Pitt holds the all-time series lead 2-1. The last time the two teams met was in 2006 and Pitt won 45-3. Pitt is 1-0 against the MAC in 2024 with a win over Kent State during week two of the season.

The Panthers do have a pair of Associated Press All-America team members in linebacker Kyle Louis and all-purpose back Desmond Reid. Both were named to the second team at their positions. Both Reid and Louis were also named first-team All-ACC first-team selections.

The Panthers are also hoping to have Eli Holstein under center for the game. Holstein has been battling injuries for the later couple of games this season. Usual backup turned starter for the Panthers Nate Yarnell is out due to entering the transfer portal.

I still think Pitt has enough left in the tank to finish strong. I feel like it might be a closer game than you would like to see against a MAC team, but I don’t think they lose. Yet an eight-win season, when the preseason projections has you winning 2-4 is something you take.

I’m predicting Pitt wins 34-28.