The Tar Heels of North Carolina (+4.5) are set to host their conference nemesis Pittsburgh Panthers (-4.5) at Kenan Memorial Stadium. ACC Network has the TV rights and this daytime matchup is scheduled to kick off at 12:20 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
North Carolina enters this ACC matchup as the underdog and is currently getting 4.5 points. If they are wanting to play the moneyline, gamblers would currently have to spend $200 in order to win $100 back on the Panthers (-200). The Tar Heels are getting +170 moneyline odds. If one side can create a bunch of points early it will produce a worthy betting opportunity in-game. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 47.5 points.
The line opened at 4. The game’s O/U has not changed since being initially posted at 47.5.
The Panthers have gained 0.6 units so far and are 1-2 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an Over-Under record of 1-1.
The Tar Heels have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 9.4 units. They’re 0-1-1 ATS and also have an O/U record of 1-1.
The Panthers are 2-1 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against ACC opponents. The Tar Heels are 0-2 SU overall and 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Panthers enter after a 24-19 win over Georgia Tech last week. Kenny Pickett completed 16 passes for 197 yards and one interception. Qadree Ollison (91 rushing yards on 17 attempts, two TDs) provided the running attack in the win while Rafael Araujo-Lopes (six receptions, 45 yards) and Taysir Mack (four catches, 95 yards) handled the receiving duties.
North Carolina most-recently fell 41-19 to East Carolina two weeks ago. The team’s defense allowed the Pirates to kill the clock by running for 220 yards on 49 rush attempts, including four rush TDs. Anthony Scott had a good outing, posting 73 rushing yards and a score on 17 attempts for East Carolina. As a group, the Heels collectively completed 25-of-44 passes for 234 yards. Nathan Elliott went 22-for-38 for 219 yards while Cade Fortin was three-of-six for 15 yards. Jordon Brown (59 yards on 13 rush attempts, one TD) and Antonio Williams (96 yards on six carries) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat as Thomas Jackson (four receptions, 14 yards) and Anthony Ratliff-Williams (four catches, 84 yards) led the receiving attack.
Pittsburgh’s run the ball on 65.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while North Carolina has a rush percentage of 44.4 percent. The Panthers have produced 207.0 rush yards per game and have six scores via handoffs this year. The Heels are logging 162.5 rushing yards per game and have two total rush TDs.
The Panthers offense has averaged 140.3 yards in the air overall and has two passing scores so far. The Heels have recorded 185.5 pass yards per game and have just one pass TDs.
Pittsburgh appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 197.0 yards and pass for 169.3 yards per game. The North Carolina defense has given up 204.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 190.0 yards per game on the ground. The Panthers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.93 to opponents, while the Heels have given up a 5.80 ANY/A.
Offensively, Pickett has amassed 351 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 71 percent of his 45 attempts with two scores through the air and two interceptions. He has a 6.69 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 2.91 over the past two outings.
Nathan Elliott has completed 22-of-38 passes for 219 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs for North Carolina. His ANY/A stands at 5.76 for the season and 2.68 over his last two outings.
When these two schools met last year, North Carolina knocked Pittsburgh off by a field goal 34-31.
Pittsburgh Panthers at North Carolina Tar Heels Free Prediction
SU Winner: North Carolina, ATS Winner: North Carolina, O/U: Over
