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UNC vs. Pittsburgh Prediction, Game Preview
UNC vs. Pittsburgh prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Tar Heels and Panthers at Kenan Stadium in Week 4.
September 19, 2016
UNC vs. Pittsburgh prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Tar Heels and Panthers.
UNC vs. Pittsburgh Game Preview
When: Saturday, Sept. 24 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
TV Broadcast: ESPNU
The Tar Heels and Panthers meet in a key early ACC Coastal division matchup. Larry Fedora’s squad is coming off of back-to-back wins over Illinois and James Madison after dropping the season opener to Georgia, while Pat Narduzzi’s Panthers are coming off of a tough loss to Oklahoma State after wins over Villanova and Penn State.
Last season the Tar Heels used two long touchdown passes from Marquise Williams to score a 26-19 win over the Panthers.
What To Know About UNC
Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky ran the high-powered offense with ease last week in a 56-28 win over James Madison, throwing for a career-high 432 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 24 of 27 passes, including a program single-game record of 18 straight. He has thrown 156 passes without an interception, and his accuracy will be needed this week against a Panthers team that allowed Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph to throw for 540 yards.
What to Know About Pittsburgh
Narduzzi can’t be pleased that he saw his Panthers defense allow Rudolph to tear up their secondary, with Cowboys receiver James Washington racking up 296 yards and Rennie Childs chipping in 101 on just 10 carries. The Panthers allowed 332 yards through the air in the previous game against Penn State. So this is a leaky defense that could be susceptible to Fedora’s high-powered offense. The Panthers’ offense, meanwhile, still needs Nate Peterman to be more efficient. His inconsistency will not allow Narduzzi to field a complete offense, as the signal-caller completed just 48 percent of his throws last week against the Pokes.
Advantages
Offense: UNC. Trubisky and the Tar Heels racked up 635 total yards against James Madison last week.
Defense: Even. Expect both offenses to move the football fairly consistently.
Special Teams: Pitt. Sophomore wide receiver Quadree Henderson took the second-half kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown against Villanova in the season opener.
Coaching: Even. Fedora has a 12-win season at Southern Miss and an 11-win year with North Carolina.
Intangibles: UNC. The Tar Heels are clicking on offense, and the game is in Chapel Hill.
Matchup To Watch
James Conner vs. UNC rush defense
James Madison racked up 209 yards on 50 carries last week against the Tar Heels, so expect Conner to get his fair share of carries. Georgia’s Nick Chubb ran for 222 yards against UNC in the opener, while Illinois had success as well. Do not be surprised if Conner gets treated like a workhorse back this week.
UNC vs. Pitt Betting Odds
Spread: UNC -6.5
Over/Under: No line
UNC vs. Pitt Prediction
It will be hard to keep up with the scoreboard in this one, as both offenses will be able to go up and down the field. The difference is Trubisky, who has completed at least 79 percent of his throws with five touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two games. A late score and defensive stand gives the Tar Heels a big league win.
UNC vs. Pitt Score Prediction: UNC 44, Pitt 37
