Duquesne vs Pittsburgh Prediction 8/30/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

Duquesne and Pitt meet Saturday in college football action from Acrisure Stadium. Here’s a Duquesne vs Pitt prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Pitt Panthers vs Duquesne Dukes pick. We will examine:

The Duquesne Dukes’ recent form and player performance

The Pitt Panthers’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Duquesne Dukes

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Pitt Panthers

Recent betting trends in games played between Duquesne and Pitt

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Duquesne vs Pitt game

Can Duquesne Put up a Fight?

Duquesne finished last season with an 8-3 record overall and that was good enough for 2nd place in the Northeast Conference. Last November they faced off against Central Connecticut to finish off the season and ended up losing 21-14. Interceptions were a major issue in that game for Darius Perrantes and he finished with two touchdowns and seven interceptions. Gone this year if Perrantes, and the quarterback seems to be a question mark. 

Ty Riddell was supposed to join the squad, but he instead went to Gardner-Webb. The good news is this team has all kinds of experience in the running back room. JaMario Clements went to Wake Forest; Taj Butts and Shawn Soleman are still on this squad. On defense, there are some question marks, and that will to be answered quickly here. If the defense can’t make some stops early in this game, this one is going to be over early. 

Why Duquesne Will Beat Pitt

Pittsburgh has lost each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games.

Big Year for Pitt

The last two years for Pitt have been nothing but a disappointment, and there is a lot of pressure on this team, and the coaching staff to make sure that doesn’t happen for a third straight year. To finish the season, Pitt went 0-6 and that is just unacceptable with the level of talent the team has. Back under center for Pitt this year is Eli Holstein, and they need him to have a big season here. Last season he ended up throwing for 2,225 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. 

On defense, it all starts up front with the pass rush, and the expectation is that they will spend plenty of time in the backfield. Jimmy Scott is back for Pitt after finishing last year with six sacks. In the secondary, there are some questions about Pitt, but they are led by safety Javon McIntyre who is going to need to play like an All-American to really anchor them. 

Why Pitt Will beat Duquesne 

• Pittsburgh has won each of its last 13 home games against non-FBS teams.
• Pittsburgh has covered the spread in eight of its last 10 home games.

Duquesne vs Pitt Prediction

Duquesne is expected to be a contender in their conference, but that doesn’t mean they are going to be any type of contender in this game. I don’t care about how Pitt ended the season; they are the much better team in this matchup, and it all starts with the quarterback position. Eli Holstein is going to attack this Duquesne secondary, and it’s going to get ugly early. This is a game where Pitt can be up 42-0 and the reserves come in, and continue the beatdown. I wouldn’t be shocked if Duquesne is shut out in this game. Back Pitt to win this game and cover the spread.