North Carolina - Pittsburgh

Meineke Car Care Bowl December 26, 4:30pm Charlotte, NC

North Carolina (8-4) ______________ ACC ____________ 195.12 ____ YPG = 307.3 (81%) PPG = 21.0 (88%) ________dYPG = 289.0 (75%) → -16% __________dPPG = 18.5 (65%) → -17% ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Citadel -506.71 W, 40-6 2 Connecticut 100.28 W, 12-10 3 East Carolina 177.10 W, 31-17 4 Georgia Tech 356.59 L, 7-24 5 Virginia -207.42 L, 3-16 6 Georgia Southern -506.71 W, 42-12 8 Florida St 71.14 L, 27-30 9 Virginia Tech 292.07 W, 20-17 10 Duke -142.00 W, 19-6 11 Miami (FL) 274.34 W, 33-24 12 Boston College 137.57 W, 31-13 13 NC State -70.92 L, 27-28

Pittsburgh (9-3) ____________ BigEast ________ 224.38 ____ +31% ← YPG = 400.8 (112%)___________ +50% ← PPG = 32.7 (138%)___________ dYPG = 338.7 (91%) dPPG = 21.5 (82%) ____ Wk Opponent oPts Score 1 Youngstown St -506.07 W, 38-3 2 Buffalo -99.82 W, 54-27 3 Navy 127.84 W, 27-14 4 NC State -70.92 L, 31-38 5 Louisville -108.86 W, 35-10 6 Connecticut 100.28 W, 24-21 7 Rutgers 102.84 W, 24-17 8 South Florida 79.25 W, 41-14 10 Syracuse -108.38 W, 37-10 11 Notre Dame 23.90 W, 27-22 13 West Virginia 240.94 L, 16-19 14 Cincinnati 473.38 L, 44-45

The Tar Heels went 8-4 in the mediocre ACC this year, not reaching the heights many had predicted for them this year. Their D has made huge strides, being among the most sturdy in the game, but the offense just fell off the map at times, leading to losses to Florida State, NC State, and Virginia, and close calls with UConn & Duke. The Panthers almost reached the top of the BigEast this year, and should be set for a great run next year. A bad loss at the beginning of the year to NC State is still inexplicable, but some solid wins over Navy, Rutgers, & UConn and close games against Cincinnati & West Virginia mean they can play with anyone.

The Tar Heel D versus the Panther O - whoever wins that one should take it.

The Line: North Carolina +2

The Call: North Carolina by 7

The Result: Pittsburgh 19-17

The Panthers were held to just 75% of their average yardage and less than 65% of their average points, but it was enough against the penalty-prone Tar Heels. Great 10-win season for Pitt, while UNC continues to build...