Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina
Random stuff...
- North Carolina has played 7 teams who are going to bowl games and have gone 5-2 in those games. Pittsburgh has faced 6 teams and have gone 4-2
- These teams have 2 common opponents. Both beat Uconn, and surprisingly both lost to NC State
- While North Carolina does not have the best offense out there, they are averaging 31 points per game in their last 3 games.
- Will Pittsburgh want to be here? After the heart crushing defeat against Cincy last week in what was one of the best games of the year. They lost the chance to play in a BCS game. Not sure they will be motivated here....
Pittsburgh Offensive Breakdown:
Points Scored: 16
Total Yards: 45
Pass Yards: 62
Rush Yards: 29
North Carolina Defensive Breakdown
Points Allowed: 13
Total yards allowed:6
Pass Yards Allowed:9
Rush Yards Allowed: 15
Analysis: I am a big fan of the North Carolina defense. Pittsburgh is a run first team which was displayed last week when Lewis ran 1000000 times. North Carolina is not a Big East defense, they will be able to stop Lewis on two downs in a row and not let Pitt get 3 and 2 repeatedly. North Carolina will be able to stop the run and put them in some 3rd and long situations. They also have a great Pass defense, and should be able to match up against Baldwin. Keep in mind that NC has the number 15th rated Rush defense. This is with giving up 317 yards to Georgia Tech. I fully expect NC to play great defense and not allow much to happen.
North Carolina Offensive Breakdown:
Points Scored: 81
Total Yards: 107
Pass Yards: 102
Rush Yards: 75
Pittsburgh Defensive Breakdown
Points Allowed: 20
Total yards allowed:27
Pass Yards Allowed:55
Rush Yards Allowed: 17
Analysis: Like I mentioned before, the North Carolina is nothing to write home about. The surprising thing though is that they have scored 27 or more points in 7 games. Pittsburgh defense is solid, but after seeing what they did last week will they be motivated or deflated? I dont expect much from NC offense, but I expect just enough to get the job done.
Other:
Net Punt Avg:
Pittsburgh: 34.6 yards
North Carolina: 35.3
Penalties / Yards per game:
Pittsburgh: 5.3 / 52.5
North Carolina: 6.1 / 54.8
3rd Down Conversions (offensive):
Pittsburgh: 43%
North Carolina: 36%
3rd Dwon Conversions (defensive):
Pittsburgh: 37%
North Carolina: 29%
Field Goals:
Pittsburgh: 19 for 25 (76%)
North Carolina: 20 for 24 (83.3%)
Red Zones Score (offensive)
Pittsburgh: 90%
North Carolina" 87%
Red Zone Scores (defensive):
Pittsburgh: 74%
North Carolina: 88%
Red Zone Touchdowns (offensive):
Pittsburgh: 62%
North Carolina:49%
Red Zone Touchdowns (defensive):
Pittsburgh: 55%
North Carolina: 53%
Analysis: Not a lot here. Yes Pittsburgh dominates the Red Zone numbers, but I'm not concerned with that really because of the reasons addressed earlier (Big East vs. ACC). Nothing here is enough to influence my oppinion on the game
Final analysis: I have not seen anyone mention this yet. North Carolina is playing in the Meinke Car Care Bowl. This is in Charlotte. Chapel Hill is just on the outskirts of Charlotte. This is practically a home game for UNC. In this game, I just feel that UNC defense will be able to quite the Pitt offense and the NC offense do just enough to get the job done.
NC: 24
Pitt: 20