UNC Football vs. Pittsburgh: Preview, info, prediction and more
The UNC football program now only has three games remaining in their regular season, and must win one of those contests in order to be bowl eligible.
On Saturday afternoon, the Tar Heels mounted a major comeback victory over Wake Forest, marking the second consecutive season in which Mack Brown’s team defeated the Demon Deacons in come from behind fashion. This year’s victory was even bigger than the last, as not only was Wake Forest ranked No. 9 in the polls, but were also previously unbeaten.
The Tar Heels don’t have much time to celebrate that victory, as they have had a short week of preparation for Thursday night’s contest against the Pittsburgh Panthers. This marks the third consecutive week that North Carolina is facing off against a top-25 ranked team.
Prior to the season, many assumed that it would be North Carolina vying for a bid to this year’s ACC championship at this point of the season. However, it’s the Panthers who are battling for their spot in the game.
Once again, we could be in for another offensive slugfest. The Tar Heels offense is averaging 40.5 points-per-game over their last five contests, but only have a 2-2 record in that span. Pittsburgh, who is led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Kenny Pickett, is coming off a game in which they put up 54 points against the Duke Blue Devils.
The Tar Heels defense will once again play a huge factor in the team’s overall outcome. Can they find a way to slow down Pickett and the Panthers enough to allow the Sam Howell-led offensive attack to lead the way to victory?
Let’s jump into our keys to the game for the UNC football program:
Key to Victory for UNC
Timely turnovers.
Last week, North Carolina’s defense was able to force Sam Hartman to throw two crucial interceptions. On both occasions, the Tar Heels offense put points on the board.
Now, Pickett is very smart with the football, as he’s only thrown three interceptions all season. The Tar Heels most certainly need to change that if they hope to win this football game tonight.
With Storm Duck back in the lineup, it allows Jay Bateman and Tommy Thigpen more flexibility with their defensive sets. Look for North Carolina to draw up ways to get pressure on Pickett in order to hopefully force some costly mistakes from the talented quarterback.
Offensively, the Tar Heels need to continue doing what they do best. Score points.
This group certainly has the ability to win some ugly slugfest type of contests, but let’s hope that this is the week the defense slows down the opposing offense to take some pressure off Sam Howell and company.
Something to Watch
In his first season in Chapel Hill Ty Chandler has been outstanding for the UNC football program. He’s coming off an historic game in which he rushed for more than 200 yards.
Coming into Thursday night’s contest, Chandler is 116 rushing yards from eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his collegiate career. Could tonight be the night that Chandler accomplishes the feat?
Based on his most recent performance, you could certainly make the case that it could happen at Heinz Field on Thursday night.
Over his last three games, Chandler is averaging 133.3 rushing yards per-game. He has at least 80 rushing yards in each of those contests, and has found the end zone eight times in that span.
With three games left, Chandler should easily obtain the feat, it all just depends on when it will happen.
What You Need to Know
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (5-4, 3-3 in ACC) AT Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2, 4-1 ACC)
WHEN? Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 7:30 PM EST
WHERE? Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA
TV? ESPN
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Partly cloudy with a high of 57 degrees
LINE? Pitt -6.5
LAST MEETING? 2019. Pitt 34, UNC 27
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads 10-4
PREDICTION? Pitt 42, UNC 35