It's Pitt ... by a little bit.

Pat Narduzzi's Panthers opened as a 4.5-point favorite over Penn State for Saturday's game at Heinz Field. Kickoff is at noon and the game will be televised by ESPN.

The two former rivals last played in 2000, when the Panthers shut out the late Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions 12-0 at Three Rivers Stadium.

Penn State started its 2016 campaign with a 33-13 victory over Kent State at Beaver Stadium. New starting quarterback Trace McSorley threw for two touchdowns and Saquon Barkley rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Pitt defeated Villanova 28-7 at Heinz Field in a game marked by the return of James Conner, who battled cancer in the offseason. Conner, a 240-pound tailback and the ACC Player of the Year, ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass.