2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl Preview: Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina
December 25, 2009
It’s Christmas Day and that means we are heading for the bulk of college football bowl season 2009. Tomorrow showcases the Tar Heels against the 17th ranked Pittsburgh Panthers from the Big East in the Meineke Car Car Bowl held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is the second-year in a row that the Tar Heels have played in the Car Care Bowl. The bowl committee has looked favorably on the Tar Heels and expects the local crowd to attend in large numbers. Unfortunately, as of earlier this week only two-thirds of the number of tickets for last year’s game had been sold for this year’s game (~50,000).
Pitt should be feeling disappointed in themselves after winning its ninth game of the season against Notre Dame before Thanksgiving before losing the last two to West Virginia and undefeated Cincinnati. Pitt was a field goal and an extra point from forcing overtime in both those games. Victories in both would have won them the Big East title and a BCS bowl berth. Instead, Pitt will have to settle for the day-after-Christmas Car Care Bowl instead of a New Year’s Day (or later) bowl appearance.
To the game:
Pitt obtained success this year through a bread and butter style of running the football and playing tough defense. Tailback, Dion Lewis, a true freshman from Albany, NY who enrolled at Pitt in the spring, rushed for 1640 yards and 16 TDs this season. He is only 46 yards behind former Pitt great and Heisman winner, Tony Dorsett, who has held the record for the most rushing yards by a freshman in the Big East since 1973.
Lewis will of course battle the top-ten defense of the Tar Heels which wreaks havoc on opposing backfields.
Pitt also sports the most sacks of any team this season with 44. A strong, physical defensive line penetrated pocket protection many times to put quarterbacks on the ground and out of rhythm.
However, TJ Yates is coming off his best performance this season in the loss to NC State. Yates completed 68% of his passes for 280 yards including two long balls to speedy true freshman Jheranie Boyd. The O-line protected well against State. The match-up between Pitt’s D-line and UNC’s O’line will be important to watch as the game progresses.
Players to watch – a bunch because there is some real NFL talent in this game.
Dion Lewis – RB #28
He’s a true freshman and thus not draft eligible, but he will be tearing up the Big East for another couple years.
Mick Williams – DT #95
A senior, he is a space eater allowing fellow d-linemen to sack the quarterback. He also finished in the top thirty in the nation with 15 tackles for loss.
Dorin Dickerson – TE #2
Also a senior, Dickerson has developed into a sure-handed redzone threat with 45 total receptions this season, 10 for touchdowns.
This could be the final game for several of UNC’s key draft-eligible defensive players.
Marvin Austin – DT
Bruce Carter – OLB
Quan Sturdivant – OLB
Kendric Burney – CB
Deunta Williams - S
All the aforementioned have been discussed as possible early entrants for the 2010 NFL draft. Carter has already stated that he will be returning to school. The bowl game performances of each player could determine whether they stay or go.
