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Pitt football vs Central Michigan preview: Time, betting odds, key stats

Pittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein (10) threw for 215 yards and four touchdowns last week. Associated Press file photo

Central Michigan (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0), Sept. 6 at 12 p.m. EDT.

BetMGM College Football Odds Opening Line: Pittsburgh by 21.5.

How to watch: ESPNU

Key stats
Pittsburgh Offense

Overall: 460.0 yards per game (35th in FBS)

Passing: 302.0 yards per game (22nd)

Rushing: 158.0 yards per game (68th)

Scoring: 61.0 points per game (6th)

Pittsburgh Defense

Overall: 208.0 yards per game (24th in FBS)

Passing: 171.0 yards per game (65th)

Rushing: 158.0 yards per game (9th)

Scoring: 9.0 points per game (35th)

Central Michigan Offense

Overall: 351.0 yards per game (85th in FBS)

Passing: 115.0 yards per game (120th)

Rushing: 236.0 yards per game (27th)

Scoring: 16.0 points per game (100th)

Central Michigan Defense

Overall: 383.0 yards per game (103rd in FBS)

Passing: 308.0 yards per game (126th)

Rushing: 236.0 yards per game (34th)

Scoring: 14.0 points per game (58th)

Central Michigan is 127th in third down percentage, converting 15.4% of the time. Pittsburgh ranks 10th on defense, allowing its opponents at convert at 13.3%.

Pittsburgh ranks 98th in the FBS with a minus-1 turnover margin, compared to Central Michigan's fourth-ranked plus-3 margin.

Pittsburgh is 74th in FBS in red zone offense, scoring on 85.7% of trips. Central Michigan's red zone defense ranks seventh at 33.3%.

Pittsburgh ranks 120th in the FBS with an average time of possession of 24:37, compared to Central Michigan's 28th-ranked average of 33:45.

Team leaders
Pittsburgh

Passing: Eli Holstein, 215 yards, four TDs, one INT, 65.2 completion percentage

Rushing: Desmond Reid, 66 yards on eight carries, one TD

Receiving: Bryce Yates, 69 yards on two catches, one TD

Central Michigan

Passing: Angel Flores, 59 yards, zero TDs, zero INTs, 100.0 completion percentage

Rushing: Nahree Biggins, 102 yards on 18 carries, zero TDs

Receiving: Tommy McIntosh, 61 yards on two catches, zero TDs

Last game

Pittsburgh beat Duquesne 61-9 last week. Holstein led Pittsburgh with 215 yards on 15-of-23 passing (65.2%) for four touchdowns and one interception. He also carried the ball seven times for 41 yards. Reid carried the ball eight times for 66 yards and scored one touchdown, adding one reception for two yards. Yates recorded 69 yards on two catches with one touchdown.

Central Michigan won 16-14 over San Jose State last week. Flores threw for 59 yards on 3-of-3 attempts (100.0%) with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He also carried the ball 12 times for 30 yards. Biggins carried the ball 18 times for 102 yards, adding one reception for nine yards. McIntosh recorded 61 yards on two catches.

Next game

Pittsburgh plays at West Virginia on Sept. 13. Central Michigan plays at Michigan on Sept. 13.

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