UNC football vs. Pitt: Game preview, info, prediction and more
The 6-1 North Carolina Tar Heels are rolling and will look to continue the drive over their next speed bump, the 4-3 Pittsburgh Panthers.
UNC has finally earned some respect, now sitting No. 21 in the Associated Press Top 25 after weeks of knocking on the door to get any credit. They are riding a three-game win streak, molly whopping Virginia Tech 41-10 and outlasting the Hurricanes and Duke Blue Devils on the road.
This game is crucial for North Carolina, they stand atop the Atlantic Coastal Conference standings, and a win could create a more significant gap in their lead. Outside of getting an ACC championship bid, there is a beacon of hope that a strong finish and a win in the title game could put UNC at the door of playoffs.
Pitt has not been able to produce the same magic as last season, with a 1-2 record in the conference, coming off a 24-10 loss against Louisville. On the other hand, North Carolina has sparked up the magic fans expected to see last season, and a big part of that is red-shirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye.
Key to victory for UNC
Oct 15, 2022; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Will Hardy (31), defensive back Storm Duck (3), linebacker Raneiria Dillworth (11), and defensive back Giovanni Biggers (27) celebrate during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
This weekend, North Carolina’s biggest challenge is containing Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda. The 216-pound junior has been a force this season, acting as a wrecking ball against opposing defenses. As many are aware, UNC’s defense has been shaky this season, but to contain Abanikanda, they will need to clog the holes in make Pitt pass.
Abanikanda has gotten contained twice this season. Pitts’ season opener Abanikanda got held to just 15-yards on eight carries, and again against Georgia Tech with 31-yards on ten carries. If UNC can produce a similar outcome, I like their chances of advancing to 7-1 on the season.
Something to watch
Oct 8, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Caleb Hood (4) runs the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Is it officially Caleb Hood’s workload to carry? Before the season started, UNC had a starting running back in British Brooks. However, after sustaining a season-ending injury before week zero, North Carolina began to play musical chairs in the running back department as they looked for the guy to carry the workload.
Earlier in the season, we saw plenty of George Pettaway, Omarion Hampton, D.J Jones, Elijah Green, and Hood. However, the last two games have sung a different tune, with Hampton and Hood becoming the running backs to be called upon. Now, with the season dwindling towards the end, we will start to see whom UNC trusts more, and it appears to be Hood with seven more carries than Hampton in the 38-35 win over Duke. This game could indicate that UNC believes that Hood is the lead running back to finish the season.
What you need to know
DURHAM, NC – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates their 38-35 victory against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
WHAT? Pittsburgh Panther (4-3) at North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1)
WHEN? Saturday, Oct. 29, 8:00 p.m. ET
WHERE? Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
TV? ESPN/ABC (Watch and stream the game live on ESPN+)
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Precipitation: 0%, 68 degrees, Wind: 5mph
LINE? UNC -3
LAST MEETING? 2021, Pitt 30-23 OT
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads 10-5
PREDICTION? UNC 42, Pitt 24
