Pittsburgh vs Miami Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 24, 2026
The Pittsburgh Panthers have lost two games in a row, and Saturday's trip to Miami doesn't offer relief. Pittsburgh faces the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, with a 12:00 pm ET kickoff on ESPN. The Panthers are 5-2, tied for seventh in the ACC at 2-2, after a 27-21 defeat at Boston College. Miami leads the conference at 4-0 and remains unbeaten at 6-0. The Hurricanes outlasted Florida State 43-35 in double overtime last weekend. Find your winner with our free NCAAF picks.
Pittsburgh Has Work to Do
A few weeks ago, Pittsburgh was getting the close finishes it wanted. The Panthers won 35-33 at Virginia Tech, part of a three-game stretch that also included a 59-0 win over Bucknell and a 27-13 victory against Syracuse. Lately, those close finishes have gone the other way. North Carolina left Pittsburgh with a 21-17 win, and Boston College took the next game 27-21. The Panthers have thrown for 1,992 yards and rushed for 1,159 through seven games. Moving the ball hasn't been their only concern; putting enough points on the board has become harder.
Mason Heintschel has been careful with the football, throwing 14 touchdowns and only one interception. He's gained 1,304 yards while completing 98 of 148 passes, but a leg injury has him listed as questionable. Damon Ferguson Jr. has done much of the running, carrying 83 times for 438 yards. La'Vell Wright has four rushing touchdowns. Cataurus Hicks has averaged 19.2 yards per catch, giving the passing game a deep threat. Cruce Brookins leads the defense with 46 tackles, and Raion Strader has picked off three passes.
Injuries: Mason Heintschel, M. Hunt, Elijah Lagg and J. Turner are questionable.
Miami Keep Putting Up Points
Florida State made Miami work for its sixth win. The Hurricanes needed two overtimes before finishing off a 43-35 victory, the first time they'd allowed more than 20 points in their previous four outings. Other opponents haven't kept it so close. Miami beat Clemson 41-13 in Death Valley, rolled past Central Michigan 52-3 and scored 77 against Florida A&M. Wake Forest gave the Hurricanes a tougher night in a 33-20 loss. Miami has scored at least 33 in each of its last five games, while its running attack is averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
Darian Mensah has been difficult to stop. Of his 167 passes, 135 have been completed, producing 1,764 yards and 18 touchdowns against a single interception. Malachi Toney already has 50 catches for 758 yards and eight scores. Javian Mallory has rushed for 397 yards on just 52 carries, and Mark Fletcher Jr. has scored six times on the ground. Miami's defense has made its share of plays as well. Marquise Lightfoot has five sacks, and Mohamed Toure leads the team with 30 tackles.
Injuries: J. Moore, C. Brown and L. Gilbert are out. O. Ruskavich is questionable.
Key To The Game
Miami's quarterbacks have thrown 21 touchdowns and only two interceptions between them. Pittsburgh has nine interceptions, but the Panthers will need pressure as well as tight coverage to slow Mensah. Heintschel's availability matters if Pittsburgh falls behind early.
Pittsburgh vs Miami Game Pick
- Miami Hurricanes -20.5
Pittsburgh has stayed close in its two recent defeats, but neither opponent scored the way Miami has been scoring. Mensah has 18 touchdown passes, and the Hurricanes can hand the ball to Mallory or Fletcher when they want to run. Heintschel's uncertain status adds another concern for the Panthers. Miami has too many ways to attack this matchup and will win comfortably, covering the 20.5-point spread at home Saturday afternoon.
Pittsburgh vs Miami Over/Under Pick
- Over 50.5
Miami has reached at least 33 points in five straight games, including 43 against Florida State and 41 at Clemson. Pittsburgh has enough offense to contribute, having scored 35 at Virginia Tech and 27 against Syracuse. Mensah has been accurate, while Mallory and Fletcher provide big gains on the ground. Even with Pittsburgh's recent scoring problems, Miami will push the pace and help send this game over 50.5 points Saturday.