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I'm going with the Tarheels here as they face a team off a huge emotional loss in the Big East Championship. Pitt just could not hold on to their 3 TD lead over Cinn in that game and I do expect a carry over into this game where they will have to face off against the best defense they have faced all year long. The closest resemblance of a defense as good as UNC that Pitt faced was West Virginia who still is miles away from what this team is and they lost to them 16-19.
I believe Dion Lewis will be bottled up all day as UNC has all stars all over the field and they are ranked #9 nationally against the run. They have NFL type players in DT Marvin Austin, DE Robert Quinn, and linebackers Quan Slurdivant and Bruce Carter who can close on Lewis in a hurry. The 5-8 195lb runner is going to have issues here on Saturday and we will take advantage.
Granted Pitt has a distinct advantage on the other side of the ball, but as we know defense wins championships and with UNC getting points I will take it in that situation especially since Pitt really does not have a distinct advantage here and add in the fact that UNC has faced a stronger schedule by far in my rankings. Besides UNC's offense is not as bad as many are making it out to be they have two talented RB's and in their last three games they averaged 30.3ppg and that was against three solid defense ranked 57, 23 and 25th in total defense so yes I am impressed.
Two common opponents between these two teams as both played UCONN and NC State. While the outcomes were the same we can find something very different. First Uconn both teams won in close games. UNC played Uconn early in the season and won 12-10, but that was a very different offense and defense and they still out gained them by 76 yards. Pitt got a win against UCONN but it was at home while UNC played them on the road. They won 24-21 but out gained them by 186 yards. Now here is where the difference is and why I think the ACC is better than the Big East. @NC State Pitt lost by a TD and were out gained by 230 yards. This to a team that is not going bowling and one of the worst in the ACC. Granted UNC also lost to this team, but in the last game of the season and that is only making this team hungrier. It was on NC State's Sr. day and despite losing they out gained them by +146 yards. So that's 376 yards separating Pitt and UNC. I really expect a dominant day from UNC's front 7 and hey that secondary isn't bad either ranking 14th overall. Look for a low scoring game, but for UNC's defense to be a difference maker.
Where to find Freddy?