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Betting odds project Miami to immediately back up new No. 1 ranking as massive favorite

The Hurricanes opened as 22.5-point favorites over the Panthers.
ByCorey Long
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Nov 29, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal (left) and Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi (right) shake hands after their game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal (left) and Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi (right) shake hands after their game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Maybe the second time is a charm for the Miami Hurricanes. 

Last week, Miami opened as a 20.5-point favorite against FSU, and the line eventually climbed to 21.5 points, but the Seminoles proved to be a much tougher challenge than expected. But if at first the oddsmakers don't succeed, they try again, and this week, Miami opened as a 22.5-point favorite against Pitt on the FanDuel Sportsbook, and the line has since dropped to 20.5 points.

Three weeks ago, this looked like it might be the big game in the ACC this season. Both teams were undefeated and on an upward trajectory, but then Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel tore his ACL, and the Panthers have since lost two straight since. 

Miami opened as overwhelming favorite in game vs. Pitt that has lost shine

There's a lot that makes Pitt a potential trap game, and we can list the reasons. The Panthers have nothing to lose; Miami is playing a noon game for the first time this season, and it's in less than a week's time after clawing its way to a win over FSU in an emotional rivalry game. 

And let's not forget the recent history of the Hurricanes and their potential to have an unexpected lull during the season. It happened late in the 2024 season, which kept them out of the CFP, and last season it happened right around this time, but Miami rallied in the final weeks to sneak into the 12-team bracket. 

With several of the top teams in the country (Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana, etc.) suffering a loss in Week 7, the landscape for Miami to take this new No. 1 ranking and run with it is open. The schedule looked interesting a few weeks ago, but with Pitt, Duke and Virginia Tech all suffering multiple losses in October, the margin of error is very slim. Notre Dame, of course, is still on the schedule, but the Irish's loss takes some of the steam out of that game, even though they only slipped to No. 4.

But the best news is that Miami stared at a potential loss that could've halted its momentum this past weekend and got through it. That, in part, can explain such a massive spread. The other explanation is that Pitt just isn't very good on offense without Heintschel pulling the strings. It adds to the pressure of a season where the Hurricanes can't afford many mistakes, but if this team is going to win the program's sixth championship, the pressure is something they have to get used to. 

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