The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1, 3-0) travel to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers (6-1, 4-0) this week in a huge ACC matchup. The game will air Thursday, Oct 29 at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
In last week’s matchup, Pittsburgh got a close victory over Syracuse 23-20. Tyler Boyd had a good performance in the victory, grabbing 12 receptions for 93 yards. Qadree Ollison had a great game as well, adding 103 rushing yards and two TDs on 23 carries. North Carolina was victorious in last week’s performance as well, defeating Virginia 26-13. Elijah Hood had a huge game running the ball for the Tar Heels, rushing 21 times for 101 yards and two TDs.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the Panthers-Tar Heels game this week is unavailable currently, and North Carolina is a small two-point favorite.
Sitting at 6-1 Straight Up (SU) and 4-3 Against The Spread (ATS), the Panthers will look to improve heading into Week 9. In their five most recent matchups, the Panthers went 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS. During their last five games, the Panthers gave up 176.2 passing yards per game. Penalties aren’t likely to cost Pittsburgh this week’s game. They earn the 21st-fewest penalties among Division I teams, averaging only five per game.
Over on the other sideline, the Tar Heels head into Week 9 with records of 4-3 ATS and 6-1 SU. Over their last five games, the Tar Heels have a SU record of 5-0 and a 3-2 record ATS for those betting with them. The defensive front seven better be ready for North Carolina’s bruising rushing attack which has averaged 216.8 yards on the ground over its past five games. Moving on to the North Carolina defense, it has some favorable matchups that it may be able to take advantage of as well. North Carolina is a frightening bunch for opposing offenses. The Tar Heels give up just 137.3 yards per game through the air, second in the nation. Pittsburgh needs to keep its intensity through the fourth quarter against the Tar Heels, who average 10.4 points in the final 15 minutes of regulation.
Predictions: SU Winner – North Carolina, ATS Winner – North Carolina
Notes
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games.
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home.
Pittsburgh is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing North Carolina.
Pittsburgh is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing North Carolina.
North Carolina is 5-1 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
The North Carolina defense has forced an average of 2.0 turnovers over its last five games, but Pittsburgh is 2-1 SU this season when turning the ball over at least 2.0 times in a game.
The Pittsburgh passing attack is ranked only 98th in the country, while the North Carolina pass defense is ranked second. The Tar Heels passing game is ranked just 38th, compared to the 15th-ranked pass defense of the Panthers.
