Pitt vs. Toledo prediction & betting tips - Dec. 26 - GameAbove Sports Bowl

The Pitt Panthers will play the Toledo Rockets in the GameAbove Sports Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 26, at 2 p.m. ET. The Pitt vs. Toledo game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Pitt (7-5) ended its season with a five-game losing streak, losing 23-34 to Boston College. Toledo (7-5) ended its season with a two-game losing streak.

Pitt vs. Toledo: Preview

Pitt is a 6.5-point favorite while the over/under is set at 51 points.

The Pitt Panthers ended the year on a five-game losing streak, which was disappointing, but Pitt has a chance to end the year on a high note with a Bowl win. The Panthers will be without several players who are in the transfer portal:

• Nate Yarnell, QB (transfer portal)
• Elliot Donald, DL (transfer portal)
• Nahki Johnson, DL (transfer portal)
• Daejon Reynolds, WR (transfer portal)
• Terrence Moore, OL (transfer portal)
• Ty Dieffenbach, QB (transfer portal)
• Daniel Carter, RB (injury)
• Montravius Lloyd, RB (transfer portal)
• Censere Lee, WR (injury)
• Lamar Seymore, WR (transfer portal)
• Branson Taylor, OL (injury)
• Thomas Aden, OL (transfer portal)
• David Oijegbe, DL (transfer portal)
• Noah Biglow, CB (transfer portal)
• Jaremiah Anglin Jr., S (transfer portal)

The Panthers will still have starting QB Eli Holstein who has thrown for 2,225 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Starting RB Desmond Reid will play as he rushed for 797 yards and four touchdowns. Konta Mumpfield, the team's leading receiver, is also likely to start. He has 52 receptions for 813 yards and five touchdowns.

Toledo wrapped up the year with a two-game losing streak and will see most of its roster in action, with just four players unavailable.

• Larry Stephens, WR (transfer portal)
• Jay’Quan Bostic, S (transfer portal)
• Tysen Smith, TE (transfer portal)
• Zach Potter, DL (transfer portal)

The Rockets are led by Tucker Gleason, who threw for 2,457 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Connor Walendzak has rushed for 457 yards and a touchdown, while Jerjuan Newton has caught 64 passes for 949 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Although Pitt has numerous players in the transfer portal, few are game-changers. The Panthers's offense will likely thrive against Toledo's defense, especially since the Rockets's offense faltered later in the season.

Pitt should be able to take an early lead. They could pick apart the Rockets's defense, which has allowed 21 points in four straight games. The Panthers will cruise to a big win in the Pitt vs. Toledo game.

Prediction: Pitt 28, Toledo 20

Pitt vs. Toledo: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Pitt -6.5 (-115)

Tip 2: Under 51 points (-110)

Tip 3: Pitt ML first half (-175)