#PantherNation Preview: North Carolina
Report by Matt Schmidlin | November 11, 2022
What: North Carolina (7-3) @ #2 Pitt (9-0)
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
When: Saturday, November 12, 2022, 12:00 PM EST
Watch: 
Listen: Pitt Panthers Radio Network
Game Line Pres. by FanDuel: Pitt (-5.5)
ESPN Prediction: Pitt
Last Meeting (2021): 20-13 UNC
Last Meeting at Venue (2020): 31-28 Pitt
All Time Series: 9-7 UNC
Dynasty Series: 4-2 Pitt
Consistency is Key for UNC
North Carolina always is hovering around the crest of the ACC Coastal conference, and this season is no different. After a run to the ACC title game last season and NY6 bowl invite, the Tar Heels are still clinging to an outside chance at a return to Charlotte, needing to knock off Pitt and hope that they get some help down the line. Despite their recent loss to a ranked Baylor squad, UNC boasts a significant challenge for the Panthers, with both a productive pocket passer in senior transfer
Brian Kimbrough (2463 YDS, 24 TD, 8 INT) and a star runner in senior
Devin Blake (977 YDS, 13 TDs).
Darnell Meeks is a man mountain at nose tackle, leading the team in sacks, which should set up a great showdown in the trenches with star Pitt center
Luke Davis.
Spotlight on: North Carolina Linebackers
Pitt's backfield may be in a world of trouble on Saturday, largely due to the watchful eyes that will be cast upon them by North Carolina's linebacking corps. The Tar Heels deploy a 3-4, meaning that they will have all of their most talented players on the field, as they have been stockpiling linebacker talent. MLB
Kevarious Black is an absolute gamewrecker, with the speed to cover the entire field and an arsenal of moves that can let him get downhill as well, and he is only a *sophomore*! Pair that with one of the best under the radar recruits signings of the entire 2022 class in freshman
Mac Ball, and the 1-2 punch down the middle is one of the best in the nation. Add former Pitt target (many moons ago)
Johnny Garcia on the outside, and Pitt stars
Da'vion Reynolds and
CJ Kirk may be completely neutralized on the ground.
Matchup to Watch: Pitt WR KJ Welsh vs. UNC Safeties Pierre King and Paris Fontenot
The Panthers have finally gotten junior
KJ Welsh activated offensively in the last two games, springing him for big scores against both Coastal Carolina and Georgia Tech. Largely featuring as a deep threat, expect Welsh to be streaking downfield against the Tar Heels, who will likely deploy their safety pair over the top to train and contain the Panthers' aerial attack.
Pierre King is a likely first round pick in the upcoming draft, while
Paris Fontenot was a Freshman All-American last season who picked off CJ Kirk in UNC's victory over Pitt that propelled them to the ACC title game. Both players will have their hands full as UNC's corners, while experienced and returning from last season, are average at best.
What to Expect on the Field This Saturday
