Pittsburgh vs North Carolina 11/11/21 College Football Picks and Predictions

The Pittsburgh Panthers and North Carolina Tar Heels square off Thursday night in week 11 ACC college football action at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The North Carolina Tar Heels look for a win after winning five of their last eight games. The Pittsburgh Panthers look for a win after winning five of their last six games.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have lost their two road games this season. Sam Howell is completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,408 yards, 20 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Josh Downs and Antoine Green have combined for 1,433 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, while Emery Simmons has 11 receptions. The North Carolina Tar Heels ground game is averaging 219.4 yards per contest, and Ty Chandler leads the way with 884 yards and 13 touchdowns. Defensively, North Carolina is allowing 33.4 points and 421.4 yards per game. Cedric Gray leads the North Carolina Tar Heels with 58 tackles, Tomon Fox has 4.5 sacks and Cam’Ron Kelly has 4 interceptions.

The Pittsburgh Panthers have split their last four home games. Kenny Pickett is completing 68.7 percent of his passes for 3,171 yards, 29 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Jordan Addison and Jared Wayne have combined for 1,482 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while Taysir Mack has 27 receptions. The Pittsburgh Panthers ground game is averaging 167.2 yards per contest, and Israel Abanikanda leads the way with 498 yards and 5 touchdowns. Defensively, Pittsburgh is allowing 22.7 points and 345 yards per game. SirVocea Dennis leads the Pittsburgh Panthers with 51 tackles, Habakkuk Baldonado has 6.5 sacks and John Petrishen has 3 interceptions.

The Tar Heels are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog. The Panthers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games in November and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The over is 6-2 in Tar Heels last 8 games overall. The over is 7-1 in Panthers last 8 home games. The Tar Heels are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

The Pittsburgh Panthers are clearly the more consistent team this season, and they have a clear edge on the defensive side of the ball. However, we’re getting a free touchdown with an explosive offensive team in the North Carolina Tar Heels. UNC just beat a top-10 team in Wake Forest, took Notre Dame down to the wire the week before that, and is ninth in total offense and 12th in scoring offense. This should be a back and forth contest. Give me the free touchdown.