2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh Picks & Predictions

Last Updated on December 26, 2009 12:00 pm by drew

Meineke Bowl Pick

Two strong defenses will collide when
North Carolina faces

Pittsburgh in the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl on Saturday at 4:30PM ET from Bank of America Stadium.

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North Carolina is 8-4 on the season and 6-5 against the spread. The Tar Heels won and covered in four straight before coming up short in both categories against N.C. State to end the regular season.

Pitt is 9-3 this year and 6-4-1 against the spread. The Panthers lost and failed to cover in their last two games of the regular season, losing both games in the closing minute of play.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made
Pittsburgh 3-point favorites over

North Carolina on Saturday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 44.5.

North Carolina has not been strong on offense, scoring just 24.3 points and averaging only 311.4 yards per-game this season. T.J. Yates has thrown for under 2,000 yards and has 14 interceptions with only 12 touchdowns on the year. Defensively, Pitt is only giving up 20 points and 323 yards per-game. The Panthers have the second best rushing defense in the Big East, allowing 108.4 yards rushing per-game.

Pitt is scoring 33.2 points per-game thanks to its dynamic running back, Dion Lewis. Lewis has rushed for 1,640 yards and 16 touchdowns on the year, picking up 5.5 yards per-carry. The Tar Heels have a solid defense, as they have held opponents to 16.9 points and 267.8 yards per-game this season. UNC is only allowing 92.8 rushing yards per-game.

This game will likely come down to whether Lewis can run on the Tar Heel defense. UNC has come up big against some strong offenses this year despite their pitiful offense. With the Panthers coming off back-to-back losses and likely disappointed to be playing in this bowl game, we suggest a pick of

North Carolina with the under in a defensive battle. Trends back up the selection as UNC is 13-4 against the spread when playing a team with a winning record over the last three seasons.

Our Meineke Car Care Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is:

NORTH CAROLINA +3 and UNDER 44.5.
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
All games in this series since 1992

N CAROLINA is 2-0 against the spread versus

PITTSBURGH since 1992

N CAROLINA is 2-0 straight up against

PITTSBURGH since 1992

1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL since 1992

N CAROLINA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

North Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

North Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of

Pittsburgh‘s last 8 games

Bowl Season College Football Injury Report

N CAROLINA

[T] 09/07/2009 – Carl Gaskins out for season ( Knee ) 

[S] 09/07/2009 – Matt Merletti out for season ( Knee ) 

[WR] 12/06/2009 – Joshua Adams is "?" vs

Pittsburgh in the Meinke Car Care Bowl. ( Shoulder ) 

[RB] 10/14/2009 – Jamal Womble out for season ( Wrist ) 

[TE] 11/21/2009 – Ryan Taylor out for season ( Knee ) 

[RB] 11/08/2009 – Shaun Draughn out for season ( Shoulder ) 

[WR] 11/11/2009 – Rashad Mason out indefinitely ( Suspension ) 

[LS] 11/12/2009 – Trevor Stuart out for season ( Knee ) 

[T] 12/06/2009 – David Collins is "?" vs

Pittsburgh in the Meinke Car Care Bowl. ( Foot ) 

[RB] 11/13/2009 – A.J. Blue out indefinitely ( Knee ) 

[S] 12/06/2009 – Curtis Campbell is "?" vs

Pittsburgh in the Meinke Car Care Bowl. ( Wrist ) 

[CB] 12/06/2009 – Gene Robinson is "?" vs

Pittsburgh in the Meinke Car Care Bowl. ( Back ) 

[T] 12/06/2009 – Brennan Williams is "?" vs

Pittsburgh in the Meinke Car Care Bowl. ( Wrist ) 

[DE] 12/17/2009 – Donte Paige-Moss expected to miss vs

Pittsburgh in the Meinke Car Care Bowl. ( Suspension ) 

PITTSBURGH

No significant injuries.
Meineke Car Care Bowl Odds

North Carolina +3 Over 44.5 (+120)

Pittsburgh Panthers -3 Under 44.5 (-140)
Bet The Meineke Car Care Bowl
Posted: 12/26/09 12:00PM ET