Staff Picks for the UNC football program's Homecoming contest against Pittsburgh
Coming off back-to-back losses, the UNC football program hosts undefeated Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon as they look to get back on track.
However, can you trust this team to bounce back?
Our staff picks have almost been as bad as the UNC football program on the field (except for JT, shoutout to him for his 4-1 start!). While the rest of us try to get back on track, here's what we think will happen this upcoming week:
Nick Delahanty- Site Expert
Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice... shame on me.
I refuse to buy any stock in this team after the last two weeks. They've given me no reason to think that this week will be any different.
Give me Pitt to win this one.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 31, North Carolina 17
Record: 3-2
Chase Maxwell- Contributor
After a promising 3-0 start, the Tar Heels have lost two straight games. Their week six matchup against Pitt won't be easy, as the Panthers will enter Chapel Hill as one of only three ACC teams that are still undefeated (Duke, Miami). Pittsburgh currently ranks fifth in the nation in total yards on offense, with just over 545 a game. As much as it pains me to say, I don't trust this North Carolina defense to limit Eli Holstein and this Pitt passing game, and it doesn't seem like we have an offense to compensate.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 37, North Carolina 28
Record: 3-2
Michael McKay- Contributor
I keep picking the Tar Heels, and the Tar Heels keep letting me down. It's time I learned my lesson. Pitt comes into Chapel Hill 4-0. Their two games against non Power-5 competition were blowouts, but their wins over Cincinnati and West Virginia were close, both one-possession wins. If there's anything that should scare North Carolina fans, it's this team having the composure and maturity to win a close game in the fourth quarter. In both losses, UNC's defense and offense have taken turns wetting the bed, so expect some combination of the two as the Panthers ruin homecoming.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 24, North Carolina 20
Record: 2-3
Luke Sugar- Contributor
It pains me, but for the first time, I won’t be riding with the Tar Heels in my prediction.
North Carolina football has broken fans’ hearts one too many times. After a blowout loss to JMU and a 20-point blown lead to Duke, trust has been lost in the Tar Heels. Not to mention, the Tar Heels are facing a formidable ACC opponent in Pittsburgh. Pitt is still perfect on the season, sitting at 4-0.
Pitt ranks No. 5 nationally in points per game and No. 6 nationally in yards per game. Kaimon Rucker’s status is still up in the air for the Tar Heels. If he were to play, he’d give some firepower to the North Carolina defense. However, Rucker’s role would likely be limited in his first game since Week 1. I think the Tar Heels will have trouble slowing down Pitt’s relentless offense and lose in a close one.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 35, North Carolina 30
Record: 3-2
JT Zangara- Contributor
North Carolina will have a big test vs Pittsburgh this Saturday at noon. If the Tar Heels want to end their losing streak, they will have to be more consistent and play a full game. North Carolina looked great in the first half limiting Duke to 97 total yards and 0 points. Although the second half was the opposite, allowing 21 points. Pittsburgh has a very good offense led by quarterback, Eli Holstein. Pittsburgh is undefeated this season and this will be their first conference game in the ACC. This could be a huge win for the Tar Heels if they can stay consistent and limit the Pittsburgh offense. Unfortunately I have Pittsburgh winning this ACC matchup at Chapel Hill and North Carolina dropping to .500.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 31, North Carolina 17
Record: 4-1