College Bowl Prediction - #17 Pittsburgh vs. UNC in the Meineke Car Care Bowl

College Bowl Games Betting Odds: Pittsburgh -3, Total Points 44 ½

One of the most underrated games on this years bowl schedule will take place in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

For Pittsburgh, they were just seconds away from shocking Cincinnati last weekend, and winning the Big East championship. However, with the loss, they’re in Charlotte.

Here are some NCAA football betting trends which may impact this game:

• Pittsburgh: 0-3 ATS in their last 3 games
• Pittsburgh: 6-2 SU in their last 8 games
• Pittsburgh: The total has gone UNDER in 6 of their last 8 games


• North Carolina: 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
• North Carolina: 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
• North Carolina: The total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 6 games

The Panthers are led by superstar freshman running back Dion Lewis, who has burst onto the college football scene this year. Lewis finished third in college football in rushing yards (1640) and also rushed for an additional 15 touchdowns. He is joined in Pitt’s backfield by senior quarterback Bill Stull, who had a phenomenal last year in Pittsburgh. Stull threw for 2100 yards and 21 touchdowns, while being intercepted just eight times. He has struggled in Pitt’s last two games however, throwing four interceptions to just three touchdowns.

As for Pitt’s defense, it is simply one of the most underrated in the country. They ranked 20th in college football in scoring defense, allowing just 20 points per game, and the 108 yards rushing allowed is 17th in college football. They have a big, physical defensive front, led by senior defensive end Greg Romeus, a future NFL superstar.

Speaking of great defenses, North Carolina has one of their own, as they rank in the top 15 in college football in every major category. They finished an impressive 9th in college football, allowing just 92 rushing yards per game, and their total of 267 yards per game allowed is ranked 6th. The Tar Heels have several future NFL superstars on this unit, including linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant.

Offensively, the Tar Heels struggled quite a bit this year, as they averaged just 311 yards of total offense per game. Quarterback T.J. Yates did not improve as many expected as he threw for just 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

What is interesting about this game is that both teams might not be particularly excited to be in Charlotte, especially considering that one more win could have gotten them a better bowl bid. However, I give the upper hand to Pittsburgh. They certainly won’t score 44 points like they did against Cincinnati last week, but they won’t give up 45 either. Meanwhile, their defense might be the best North Carolina faces all year. I expect the Tar Heels to have trouble moving the ball, and for the Panthers to win a low scoring game.

Take Pitt in the college football betting odds.