Playing The Odds is your weekly look at the Vegas betting lines for our Pittsburgh-area football teams. Playing The Odds is offered solely for entertainment purposes. SB Nation Pittsburgh does not promote gambling, unless Pitt and Penn State start playing yearly games again. Then all bets are on. All lines are accurate as of Tuesday morning of each week. Feel free to use the comments to tell us who you think will be victorious.
Friday, November 26
12:00p - West Virginia Mountaineers at Pitt Panthers (-2)
What We Said: At long last, the biggest college football game in the region has arrived. The Panthers hold the Big East conference lead, but a loss to WVU puts the Mountaineers and the UConn Huskies in the drivers seat. These teams are very evenly matched and you have to think that opening line is simply the home field advantage. This game could go either way, but expect the score to be close.
What Happened: The game may have been evenly matched on paper, but the score was all West Virginia, as the Mountaineers rolled to a 35-10 victory. Heinz Field proved to be unfriendly confines for the Panthers, who now need a lot of help to jump West Virginia and UConn for the Big East's BCS bid.
Saturday, November 27
12:00p - Penn State Nittany Lions (+2) vs. Michigan State Spartans
What We Said: This is the last time these teams will meet for the vaunted Land Grant Trophy, a trophy so ugly if Michigan State wins, they just might "accidentally" leave it at Beaver Stadium. Penn State has owned this series in recent times, winning six of the last eight meetings. This time, though, the Spartans come in as the 10th ranked team in the country.
What Happened: The Spartans won a game in Happy Valley for the first time in 45 years, ending the "rivalry" of the Big Ten's two most recent additions (until Nebraska joins the fold in 2011). The Spartans were the better team for three quarters before a fierce Penn State comeback that fell just short. Michigan State won, 28-22.
Sunday, November 28
1:00p - Pittsburgh Steelers (-6) at Buffalo Bills
What We Said: After a few marquee games in a row, the Steelers were blessed playing a potentially-good-yet-currently-struggling Oakland Raiders team. Even better, they follow that game up with a trip to Buffalo. The Bills started out 0-8 but have strung together two wins against Detroit and Cincinnati. Don't let the winning streak fool you; Pittsburgh will win this game with ease.
What Happened: Well, who saw the way this game was played coming? Taking the 2-win Bills to overtime and needing a Shaun Suisham field goal with 2:14 left to win was not what the Steelers were hoping for in Buffalo. Steelers win 19-16, but this game took much more effort than the team (and fans) would have hoped.