Meineke Car Care Bowl: North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh | Preview & Predictions

December 26, 2009 | 4:30 PM EST, Charlotte, NC, on ESPN

Meineke Car Care Bowl

North Carolina Tar Heels (8-4) vs Pittsburgh Panthers (9-3)

Opening Line: Opening Line Pitt -3 (current line Pitt -2.5)

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Game Preview:  They could easily call this one the disappointment bowl as both teams showed enough promise to play later in  the bowl schedule.  At one point Pitt was looking at  a BCS bid but back to back losses landed them here.  Can they get off the mat?  For UNC they must be looking back at a couple of losses and wondering what if.  This one may come down to coaching, which coach, Butch Davis or Dave Wannstedt, can get his team sufficiently prepared for a hard fought game against a talented opponent.

North Carolina Preview: UNC is all about defense.  They rank 6th in the nation in yards allowed and give up only 17 points a game.  There is next level talent in every defensive grouping and they swarm to the ball like coach Davis’ old Hurricane teams.  The problem is that the offense often leaves them hanging.  TJ Yates had a down season throwing more INTs than TDs and their leading rusher Ryan Houston averages less than 4 yards a carry.  WR Greg Little has a little wiggle in the passing game but he thinks he is a lot better then he really is.  For UNC to win one of these three has to step up and have a big game.

Pittsburgh Preview: Despite the disappointment in the last couple of games this was the Panthers best season under Wannstedt.  For some reason people out there think this team should become a power like Penn State, I am not sure why, the Panthers haven’t really been feared since guys like Marino and Dorsett were on campus.  The reason Pitt was so good this year was because they finally got some good QB play to accompany the solid defense and good ground game they usually have.  This combo was good enough to keep them in the hunt until the end but in my opinion it was a bit of a mirage.  I see no quality wins on their schedule and that loss to NC State – ouch.  Full disclosure – UNC lost to them too in the final week but atleast that was a rivalry game.

Game Prediction: Even though their offense is weak I like UNC’s chances to pull off the upset.  Their defense is fantastic  and on offense they have enough athleticism to make some plays. I have never been a fan of Wannstedt and this is a game where motivation is going to be critical.  It wouldn’t surprise me if it took them a half to wake up and at that point it could be too late.

Score Prediction:

UNC – 30
Pitt – 21

Pick: That UNC defense can be nasty.  Good value on the ML but even better ATS.

• Tar Heels are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
• Tar Heels are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog.