In this article we will formulate a Pittsburgh vs North Carolina prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, October 10th at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 6 matchup.
Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Panthers are 5-0 (2-0) this year after they defeated Virginia Tech by a score of 35-33 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 24-21 at halftime, but they led 35-24 in the fourth, before getting the win on a missed field goal. The Panthers were out gained by a total of 499-295, went 4-13 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 4-0 in the game. Mason Heintschel threw for 113 yards and one touchdown, while Cataurus Hicks caught three passes for 68 yards and two scores. Ja’Kyrian Turner rushed 14 times for 65 yards and one touchdown in the win.
Prior to that game, Pittsburgh defeated Bucknell by a score of 59-0 and Syracuse by a score of 27-13. The Panthers have scored 38.4 points per game with 316.0 passing yards and 162.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 13.4 points against per game this season. Mason Heintschel was injured last week and is out for the season, which is a huge loss for the Panthers.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
The North Carolina Tar Heels are 2-2 (0-1) this season after they lost to Notre Dame by a score of 37-26 in their last game. North Carolina trailed 21-20 early in the third quarter, but they allowed the next 16 points for the loss. The Tar Heels were out gained by a total of 475-286, went 5-10 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 2-0 in the game. Billy Edwards Jr threw for 209 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Jordan Shipp caught seven passes for 109 yards. Benjamin Hall rushed 10 times for 36 yards in the loss.
Prior to that game, North Carolina lost to Clemson by a score of 28-20, but did beat ETSU by a score of 35-3 before that. The Tar Heels have scored 24.0 points per game with 210.5 passing yards and 135.5 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 19.5 points against per game this season. Billy Edwards Jr has thrown for 820 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Panthers will win
- Pittsburgh has won each of its last eight games in October.
- North Carolina has lost each of its last eight games as an underdog against AP-ranked teams.
- Pittsburgh has covered the spread in each of its last six games in October.
- North Carolina has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games against conference opponents.
- Pittsburgh has won the first quarter in each of its last nine home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Pittsburgh has won the first half in each of its last 14 games as a home favorite.
Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win
- North Carolina has won three of its last four October games as a road underdog.
- Pittsburgh has lost each of its last four games as an AP-ranked team.
- Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 home games as an AP-ranked team.
- North Carolina has covered the spread in each of its last four games against AP-ranked teams.
- North Carolina has won the first half in three of its last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Pittsburgh’s last eight home games against teams from North Carolina have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of North Carolina’s last four games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Pittsburgh Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 6, Mason Heintschel ranks 1st in the league for TD:INT ratio (14.00) this season.
North Carolina Tar Heels Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 6, Xavier Lewis ranks T5th amongst FBS players for sacks (6.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Pittsburgh has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 40+ points of any FBS team this season (2).
- Pittsburgh ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- North Carolina has lost the fourth quarter in each of its last three games – equal-longest active streak in the FBS.
- North Carolina ranks 134th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (2.3).
Pittsburgh vs North Carolina Prediction
Pittsburgh comes into this matchup with a 5-0 record to start the season, but their starting QB is out for the season after getting hurt last week. North Carolina is 2-2 through four games, but did play decently well against Notre Dame last week. The Tar Heels have allowed 65 points in their last two games and had a terrible collapse against Clemson two games ago. I am worried about the Pittsburgh QB situation, but I don’t trust UNC on the road at all. Take the Panthers at home.