Duquesne Dukes @ Pittsburgh Panthers Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 8/30/2025 12:00 PM EDT

We have your Duquesne Dukes @ Pittsburgh Panthers prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Duquesne Dukes hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Duquesne Dukes @ Pittsburgh Panthers Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: Pittsburgh Panthers -100000 on Fanduel / Duquesne Dukes +7000 on Fanduel
Best Spread Odds: Pittsburgh Panthers -37.5 (-105) on Fanduel
Best Total Odds: Over 55.5 (-110) on Caesars / Under 56.0 (-115) on BetRivers

Game Info

Date: 2025-08-30
Time: 12:00 PM EDT
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
TV: ACCN

Duquesne Dukes @ Pittsburgh Panthers Preview

The "City Game" is set to return after an 85-year hiatus, as the Duquesne Dukes travel a short distance to face the Pittsburgh Panthers. This matchup marks the first time these crosstown rivals have met on the football field since 1939. While the Panthers, a Power Four program, are heavily favored, the Dukes, an FCS team, are approaching this game with significant personal stakes. Duquesne coach Jerry Schmitt, a Pittsburgh native, and players like Antonio Epps, who once considered playing for Pitt, view this as a unique opportunity to prove themselves on a big stage. The odds are long for Duquesne, as they have historically struggled against Power Four opponents, often losing by more than 38 points in recent years. However, the emotional aspect and the chance for local bragging rights add an intriguing layer to this season opener. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi acknowledges the importance of this game for FCS schools and expects Duquesne to be highly motivated.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The historical head-to-head record between the Duquesne Dukes and the Pittsburgh Panthers is sparse, with their last recorded football game taking place 86 years ago in 1939. In that contest, Duquesne pulled off a significant upset, defeating top-ranked Pitt by a score of 21-13. Following that victory, Duquesne even finished 10th in the final AP poll that year and 8th two years later, before the program temporarily ceased varsity football in the 1950s. Since then, the football landscape has drastically shifted, with Pitt establishing itself as a Power Four conference team and Duquesne competing at the FCS level. This long break means there is no recent head-to-head data to analyze, making the current matchup a fresh chapter in a long-dormant rivalry.

Pick: Pittsburgh Panthers -37.5

The Pittsburgh Panthers are overwhelming favorites in this renewed "City Game," and for good reason. Duquesne, an FCS program, has a documented history of struggling against Power Four opponents, failing to stay within 38 points in recent matchups against such teams. Furthermore, Duquesne has a poor Against The Spread (ATS) record, going 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games. While a -37.5 spread is substantial, the statistical disparity and the historical performance of the Dukes against higher-tier competition suggest that Pitt is well-positioned to cover this large margin. The Panthers will be motivated to make a statement in their season opener at home, and their superior talent and depth should allow them to dominate the game.