Free College Football Picks Today: North Carolina Tar Heels vs Pittsburgh Panthers 10/29/22

The No. 21 University of North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1, 3-0 ACC) host the No. 24 University of Pittsburgh Panthers (4-3, 1-2 ACC) at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits the Atlantic Coast Conference’s toughest rush defense against one of its strongest ground offenses.

The Tar Heels are three-point favorites, and the total is 64.5.Pittsburgh is coming off a 24-10 loss against Louisville at Cardinal Stadium last Saturday. Kedon Slovis threw for 158 yards and two interceptions. Israel Abanikanda ran 28 times for 129 yards and a touchdown. He added three receptions for 50 yards.

North Carolina won for the third straight game on October 15, beating Duke 38-35 at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. Drake Maye was 28 of 38 for 380 yards and three touchdowns. He added 70 yards on the ground. Josh Downs hauled in nine receptions for 126 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Panthers won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 30-23 overtime victory in November. Kenny Pickett threw three touchdowns for Pittsburgh. Sam Howell tossed two touchdowns for North Carolina, as Antoine Green found the end zone twice.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Panthers are averaging 31.4 points per game for the season, 56th in FBS, and they are facing a Tar Heels defense that has surrendered 32.4 PPG (114th). Meanwhile, North Carolina has scored 41.7 points a game this season, eighth in the nation, and Pittsburgh is allowing 25.9 PPG (64th).

The Panthers rank 82nd in the nation in passing yards per game (226.1) and 37th in rushing (189.4). They have an advantageous matchup through the air, as the Tar Heels are 126th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (290.0). Against the run, North Carolina is 109th (186.3).

North Carolina has been one of the nation’s top passing teams, averaging 326.7 passing yards per game (9th), while ranking 44th in rushing yards (179.3). The Panthers are allowing 208.7 passing yards (43rd) and 124.9 rushing yards per game (41st).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through six games, Kedon Slovis has thrown for five touchdowns (5 INT) and 220.8 yards per game to lead Pittsburgh in passing. Israel Abanikanda leads the team in rushing with an average of 137.0 yards a game over seven games. He has 13 touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Jared Wayne is the Panthers’ leading receiver with 68.5 yards a game and one TD.

Drake Maye has 24 passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 326.1 yards per game through seven games to lead North Carolina. In three home games this season, he has thrown for 13 TDs and an average of 319.3 yards. Drake Maye also leads the team in rushing with an average of 54.0 yards per game. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Josh Downs has been the primary target in the Tar Heels’ aerial attack. He has five touchdowns and an 85.0 yard per game average through five appearances.