North Carolina Tar Heels (1-8 SU, 2-7 ATS) vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (4-5 SU, 3-4 ATS)
College Football Week 11
Date and Time: Thursday, November 9th, 2017 7:30 PM ET
Where: Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA
TV: ESPN
by Keith F., Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: UNC +9/PITT -9
Over/Under Total: 53
The ACC will come to Thursday Night Primetime when the North Carolina Tar Heels square off with the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field in the Steel City on Thursday, November 9th, 2017 at 7:30 PM ET. The contest will be aired for national audiences on ESPN despite lacking appeal due to the maligned records of both teams. The Tar Heels own the most recent win in this series in 2016 which was nothing short of an absolute thriller. Carolina Blue edged out the Pitt Gold and Navy in a 37-36 dogfight in Chapel Hill, last September. Overall the Heels have won the last four meetings between both parties. Outside of their recent dominance there are no other noteworthy trends worth reporting in the spectrum of head to head contests between both sides.
The Tar Heels have been a less than attractive option this season be that they come in off a six-game losing streak and own just one win overall this season. This is a far cry from the team we saw the take the field in the Chick-Fil-A Classic Game against Georgia in 2016 where there were whispers of the Tar Heels being a dark horse for the conference championship. Lets not forget North Carolina has been to the big dance and faced Clemson in the ACC Championship Game not too long ago. Now, with an outflux of some of the premier talent the Tar Heels have crashed and burned in 2017. In their most recent outing, the Tar Heels looked far better than their record revealed as they hung with the currently undefeated Miami Hurricanes as a 21-point dog in a 24-19 final. With a bye to week to reassess where they stand, the Tar Heels could set themselves up here to finish strong down the backstretch.
The Panthers enter this affair on a similar notion to the Tar Heels. Pittsburgh has taken a step back from where it was in 2016 when it took down not one but two conference champions, including the eventual national champion Clemson. Pittsburgh featured one of the most underrated yet inspirational players in college football with James Conner lining up at running back. Conner and NFL prospect Nate Peterman have both left the Steel City and like UNC, Pitt is trying to re-define itself as it moves forward with its talent upping sticks. Like the Tar Heels, Pitt also comes into this contest off a bye. The Panthers have won their last two outings overall as they took down both Duke and Virginia in back-to-back games.
Out of the gate we have seen a huge lean on the Panthers and thus the price has risen by 1.5 points from the off of this market. The opening number is something that normally would resonate with us be that it is a notorious favorite number. The Panthers opened as a 7.5-point choice and traditionally that would garner a selection on their behalf. However, we have seen a huge reaction from the public follow suit. The fact remains no one is going to want a piece of North Carolina given their grisly record against the spread and straight up this season. While the wins and losses are difficult to extrapolate, a market correction is due in order for this team be that they have actually be severely overvalued against their poor performance portfolio. In Over/Under markets, we have seen the number diminish by two points to its current position, reflecting action on the Under.
If there is anything that North Carolina could take away from what transpired against Miami, it is that they can hang with one of the best teams in America. Though they lost the contest, it is in fact a moral victory for the Heels. North Carolina will enter this contest with nothing to lose. Pittsburgh is likely laying a number that is has no business spotting. After all the figure is designed more for punters to actually have a look at UNC. For those inclined to hop aboard, this offers tremendous value by virtue of the fact a likely overlay is taking shape.
Keiths Pick to Cover the Point Spread: NORTH CAROLINA +9. – Bet your pick for this game using your credit card at an online bookie where it WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a generous 50% signup bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $250! (Example: Deposit $250 and they’ll give you an extra $250 FREE!) Find this great offer at Bovada Sportsbook.
