Even in the deepest throes of mediocrity in recent years, the North Carolina football team has been able to find annual respite when Pittsburgh shows up on the schedule.
Since 2013, the Tar Heels have defeated the Panthers in six consecutive games. Even in 2017 and 2018 — when UNC lost to every other conference opponent — the Tar Heels got their sole ACC wins of the season when they faced off against head coach Pat Narduzzi and Pitt.
However, this season has seen sizable changes from both programs. While UNC may have already claimed three conference wins, this Pitt team has been competitive in its own right.
Here’s a look at what head coach Mack Brown and his team can expect when they make the trek up to frigid Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
Keeping it close
UNC has had plenty of nail-biting affairs.
Despite winning seven out of the last eight matchups against Pitt, the Tar Heels' margin of victory in that span has only been a combined 31 points. And this season, with close losses to Clemson, Virginia Tech and Appalachian State still fresh in the minds of the Tar Heel football program, yet another close game could finally bode well for Pittsburgh.
The beauty of the bye week
Both UNC and Pittsburgh will enter Thursday night’s primetime matchup with fresh legs as both teams took time off for a bye last weekend. While this gives both teams an advantage in terms of rest and strategy, Pitt entered the break on a high note after defeating Georgia Tech on Nov. 2. Conversely, the Tar Heels lost a crucial ACC game to Virginia on the same day, sending them into the bye with the anguish of defeat still fresh on their minds.