Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football vs Pittsburgh: Preview, info, prediction and more

By Nick Delahanty

Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Josh Downs (11) runs after a catch as Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Damarri Mathis (21) and defensive back Erick Hallett (31) chase during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 30-23 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Josh Downs (11) runs after a catch as Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Damarri Mathis (21) and defensive back Erick Hallett (31) chase during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 30-23 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UNC football program will look to rectify its struggles after “bye weeks,” as they’ll host Pittsburgh in Chapel Hill on Saturday night.

For the first time this season, the UNC football program will take the field as a ranked team.

Even though they were off last week, the Tar Heels got some help in their pursuit of winning of ACC Coastal Division.

Heading into this weekend’s action, Mack Brown’s team has a two-game lead in the division with five conference games left to play. A victory over Pittsburgh would put the UNC football program in an even better spot, as it’s a game that would certainly add some more positive momentum in the Tar Heels’ favor.

Pittsburgh has struggled as of late, losing two of its last three contests. However, don’t expect the Panthers to just fold, as they’ll come in looking to upset the Tar Heels on their home turf.

Key to Victory for North Carolina

Pittsburgh has done a great job of getting to the quarterback, as they average three sacks per game. If the Tar Heels want to win this one, they must keep Drake Maye on his feet, allowing him the appropriate time to get the football out.

If the line struggles, it won’t be an easy task for the Tar Heels to win this game.

The key is for the offensive line to dominate up front. Get the running game early, and provide Maye with enough time to do Drake Maye-type things.

If you look closely at the numbers, Maye, like most quarterbacks, tends to struggle when pressure comes. It’s crucial for the Tar Heels to take some deep shots down the field, as the downfield threats of Antoine Green and Josh Downs could find themselves open in space.

What to Watch For

Since Mack Brown returned to Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels have been very bad in games following an off week.

In five games over that span, North Carolina is 0-5, including a loss to Notre Dame earlier in the season.

What better week to snap that streak than this one?

On the field, the Tar Heels’ defense must find a way to slow down the Panthers’ offense. Averaging 31.4 points per game, Pittsburgh will look to exploit North Carolina’s defense in order to put pressure on the Tar Heels’ offensive attack.

What You Need To Know

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1, 3-0 in ACC) vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (4-3, 1-2 in ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 8:00 PM EST
WHERE? Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC Network
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Partly cloudy with light wind. High 43F
LINE? UNC -3
LAST MEETING? Pittsburgh defeated North Carolina 30-23 on November 11, 2021
ALL-TIME SERIES?  North Carolina leads the series 10-5
PREDICTION? North Carolina 41, Pittsburgh 37

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