North Carolina will play Pitt, the ACC Coastal Division leader, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. The Panthers (7-2, 4-1 ACC) are the Tar Heels’ third consecutive ranked opponent. UNC (5-4, 3-3) would be eliminated from the Coastal Division with a loss. Even if they win, the chances are still slim, and a lot of things would have to go their way.
Pitt, Virginia, and Miami would all need to lose one more game, while the Tar Heels would need to win their regular-season finale against No. 19 North Carolina State. If that unlikely situation does not occur, UNC coach Mack Brown has stated his intention to return the seniors to a bowl game, with a win over Pitt ensuring eligibility.
Prediction
North Carolina will travel to Pittsburgh on Thursday night to face the Panthers in a game that will be vital in the ACC Coastal Division competition.
The Tar Heels (5-4, 3-3 ACC) would be a game behind Pitt (7-2, 4-1) with a tie-breaker advantage if they won. With wins over rival Coastal contenders Virginia and Miami already under their belts, the Tar Heels would only need a win over NC State to finish the regular season and a Pittsburgh defeat to UVA or Syracuse to win the championship.
Pitt’s route to a division title is much clearer: win, and they’re in. A win over UNC followed by a victory over Virginia would guarantee the Panthers a berth in the ACC championship game.
North Carolina scored 58 points on previously undefeated Wake Forest for the second week in a row, amassing more than 560 total yards. Once again, it was the running game that won the game. The Tar Heels rushed for 358 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, led by Ty Chandler’s 213 yards.
Sam Howell also contributed to this effort, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina wore down the Demon Deacons at the conclusion of the game, and the offensive line, which had been a problem early in the season, has really come together in terms of run blocking. UNC gained 125 yards on the ground in the fourth quarter alone, with Chandler crossing the goal line three times.
Of course, Howell can also throw, however, thanks to Wake’s dynamic running game, he only had 26 attempts against them. Josh Downs had his least productive receiving game of the season, while Antoine Green had six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown last Saturday, following off a strong performance against Notre Dame. Carolina’s strategy this week may be a little different, considering they will not be facing the Demon Deacon defense.
Live Updates
UNC has been eliminated from the ACC Coastal Division race.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) November 12, 2021
Inside Carolina Postgame Live is about to begin. WATCH HERE: https://t.co/e5OLl3Qxru
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) November 12, 2021
Final in OT#CarolinaFootball | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/u6DtLqU0Ep
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 12, 2021
4th-and-11 for the Tar Heels in a driving rainstorm. Timeout UNC.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) November 12, 2021
T O U C H D O W N‼️ @KennyPickett10 » @Lucas_Krull_
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) November 12, 2021
11-yard TD pass » Pitt 30, UNC 23
The defense can finish this…#H2P » #BeatUNC pic.twitter.com/nP81E3u75G
13 of the 15 all-time meetings have been decided by 10 points or less. https://t.co/ZpK9r1f2rs
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 12, 2021
UNC wins the toss and will play defense first.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) November 12, 2021
Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina football: North Carolina comes back to tie the game at 23-23 and force overtime https://t.co/8F4ENjwGtG via @247sports @EdOBrienCFB @MikePanther247
— Panther247 (@PittPanthers247) November 12, 2021
4Q, 0:57 » Pitt 23, UNC 23
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) November 12, 2021
Pitt ball with no timeouts.
Kenny Pickett back on the field.
Tie-ball game
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 12, 2021
Atkins converts with 57 seconds left pic.twitter.com/bU0XQfRESG
