Pittsburgh Panthers vs North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction, 10/5/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Pittsburgh Panthers vs North Carolina Tar Heels

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Location: Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Tar Heels (+3.0)

Total/Over-Under: 64.5

Kenan Stadium is the location where the North Carolina Tar Heels (3-2) will compete against the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-0) on Saturday, October 5, 2024. North Carolina opens this contest as 3.0-point dogs. The betting total comes in at 64.5.

The Pittsburgh Panthers come into this matchup with a record of 4-0 for this year. In their last contest, the Panthers faced the Youngstown State Penguins and went home with a win by a final score of 73-17. In the running game, the Panthers conceded 71 yds on 37 tries, which is 1.9 yds per run surrendered. Pittsburgh gave up 20 completions on 31 tries for a total of 238 yards, and a completion percentage of 64.5%. Overall, they had 61 plays which gave them a total of 644 yds. The Pittsburgh Panthers ended up running the ball 26 different times and accounted for 295 yds, which came out to an average of 11.3 yds per attempt.

Concerning putting points on the board, the Pittsburgh Panthers have an average of 48.5 points per game. Offensively they have an average of 192.5 yards on the ground which is 39th in Division 1. The Panthers have earned 2,091 total yards for this campaign. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, Pittsburgh has amassed 14 passing touchdowns and 8 rushing touchdowns. Pittsburgh has recorded 107 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 30 infractions for 287 yards. They have turned the ball over 3 different times.

In terms of yards through the air, the Panthers are allowing 927 yds which has them sitting in 64th in the nation. They have yielded 231.8 yards per outing through the air as well as conceding a completion percentage of 56.6%. During the season, they have allowed 342.0 yards per contest putting them at 64th in the country. They have yielded 9 touchdowns through the air in addition to 2 touchdowns on the ground. The opposition is running for 2.8 yards per rushing attempt and 110.3 rushing yards per contest on the year. In total, they have given up 441 running yards through 4 games. The Panthers rank 81st in the country when it comes to the opposition scoring, allowing 25.5 PPG.

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The Tar Heels head into this matchup 3-2 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Tar Heels took a defeat with a final score of 21-20 when they played the Duke Blue Devils. North Carolina ran the ball for 3.9 yds per carry, finishing with a total of 156 yds on 40 carries. The Tar Heels finished with a total of 407 yds and they ran 79 plays (5.2 yds per play). The Tar Heels pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 44.1%, relinquishing 209 yds on 15 out of 34 passing. North Carolina allowed 41 run attempts for 185 yds (4.5 yds per rush).

The North Carolina Tar Heels have an average of 455.6 yards per outing, which ranks them 32nd in the country. The North Carolina offense has compiled 374 penalty yards on 46 infractions, which has them ranked 4th in the country in terms of giving up free yards. They have an average of 208.6 yards per game via the ground game and have run for 1,043 yards for the season. They have given away 5 interceptions while surrendering 4 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 122 first downs. Concerning their ability to score points, the Tar Heels currently rank 37th in Division 1 holding an average of 34.4 points per outing. For the year thus far, the Tar Heels currently have a total of 1,235 passing yards in addition to holding an average of 247.0 passing yards per game, putting them at 49th in college football.

North Carolina has allowed the opposition a total of 612 yards on the ground (122.4 yards per game) and 7 touchdowns via the rush this year. They have conceded 8 touchdowns via the pass as well as 232.4 yards per game, which has them in 94th in the nation. Their defense has compiled 4 fumbles recovered and 1 pick for the year. The Tar Heels defense has taken the field for 319 plays, which is good for 88th in the nation. The Tar Heels are relinquishing 27.6 PPG, which puts them 93rd in Division 1. This season, they have surrendered 138 total points.

Who will win tonight's Panthers/Tar Heels college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Tar Heels +3.0

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