Pittsburgh vs North Carolina Prediction College Football Picks 10/5/24

The Pitt Panthers and the North Carolina Tar Heels meet in week 6 college football action from Kenan Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pitt vs. North Carolina prediction.

Pitt Recap

The Pitt Panthers come into this one looking to build some steam after improving to 4-0 with a 73-17 rout of FCS Youngstown State prior to their most recent bye week. After this game, Pitt will head home for a matchup with Cal prior to another bye week.

Panthers Trying To Keep Rolling Offensively

Eli Holstein has thrown for 1,183 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions on 67.4% passing while Desmond Reid has rushed for a team-high 319 yards and a touchdown. Konata Mumpfield has a team-high 20 receptions for 315 yards and 3 touchdowns for Pitt’s receiving group while Kenny Johnson has 202 receiving yards with 2 touchdowns. Four more Pitt receivers have 100+ receiving yards including the aforementioned Reid and Raphael Williams Jr. who each have 150+ receiving yards and 3 touchdowns this year. On defense, Donovan McMillon has a team-high 35 total tackles while Rasheem Biles has 32 total tackles including a team-high 19 solo tackles and 3 sacks. Kyle Louis has 33 total tackles and 2 interceptions while Nate Matlack also has a team-high 3 sacks as part of Pitt’s 11 sacks and 5 INTs as a team so far this season.

Why the Pittsburgh Panthers will win

• Pittsburgh has won each of its last four games.
• North Carolina has lost five of its last six games against conference opponents.
• North Carolina has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games against conference opponents.
• Pittsburgh has covered the spread in each of its last four games.

North Carolina Recap

The North Carolina Tar Heels come into this one looking to rebound from back-to-back losses after a 21-20 loss to Duke last time out. After this game, UNC will welcome Georgia Tech to town before their bye week.

Tar Heels Looking For First ATS Cover Of The Year

Jacolby Criswell has thrown for 889 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on 57.7% passing. Omarion Hampton has a team-high 658 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns while Davion Gause has 169 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. J.J. Jones has 16 receptions for 264 yards while Bryson Nesbit has 17 grabs for 208 yards and 3 TDs. Four more Tar Heels have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Jakeen Harris has a team-high 32 total tackles while Antavious Lane has 30 total tackles with a team-high 20 solo tackles. Amare Campbell also has 3 sacks while Jahvaree Ritzie has a team-high 5 sacks. As a team, North Carolina has combined for 15 sacks and an interception as well on the year.

Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win

• Pittsburgh has lost three of its last four October games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
• North Carolina has won five of its last six home games in October.
• The underdog has covered the spread in each of North Carolina’s last four games.
• Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four road games in October.

Pitt vs. North Carolina Prediction

I’m on Pitt here. I just am not a fan of what North Carolina’s bringing to the table and while Criswell has started to pick it up at QB for the Tar Heels, the reality is that North Carolina just can’t get over the hump. Pitt may be skating on thin ice as it is, but I still think they’re the more trustworthy team in this spot and I’ll back them to get the job done here laying the points on the road.