The 2009 Bowl Season continues today and the pros at FiveStarPick.com have been working overtime to analyze the Meineke Car Care Bowl between the UNC Tar Heels and the Pittsburgh Panthers.  Las Vegas Sportsbooks list Pittsburgh as 3-point favorites with a total of 45.

Most Vegas books opened Pittsburgh (9-3 SU, 7-4 against the spread) as a two-point favorite with a total of 47.  As of today, most books had Pitt favored by 2.5 to as much as 3 with the total at 45. 

North Carolina (8-4 SU, 6-5 Against The Spread) was on a four-game winning streak both SU and Against The Spread until a 28-27 loss at N.C. St. as a 5-point road favorites.

This is Butch Davis’ 3rd year at the helm of UNC and today’s game will be his 2nd bowl appearance. The Tar Heels lost a heartbreaker 31-30 to West Virginia last year in the Meineke Bowl, but they did cover as two-point dogs. UNC is ranked first in the ACC in run defense and total defense.  They are giving up just 16.9 points per game.  UNC’s catalyst is Junior QB T.J. Yates.  Yates has a 12/14 TD-INT ratio this year, not so good.  When he is on he can be unstoppable, but when he is off he can be a major liability.

Pitt was 9-1 to start the season before losing in Morgantown to West Virginia 19-16 as one-point home favorites. Then Cincinnati came to town and won 45-44 at Pitt in the final minute. The Panthers did cash as 1.5-point home dogs, but it was an emotional let down for the Panthers to say the least.  The question is whether or not Pitt will be able to overcome such emotional losses to get up for this game.  If they are going to win today, QB Bill Stull will have to take over.  Stull had a great year this year, connecting on 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,470 yards with a 21/8 TD-INT ratio.

Now let’s talk trends…UNC has won outright in its last five games against ranked opponents. Pitt is 4-3 against the spread as a single-digit favorite this year.  Meanwhile, UNC is 3-1 against the spread as an underdog.  The Tar Heels won outright this year at Va. Tech, at BC and vs. Miami.

So who covers the spread in the Meineke Car Care Bowl?  It’s very easy to find out.  Try FiveStarPick.com tonight for just ($19.99) and see if our talent for picking college and pro football winners exceeds your expectations.  We are the only sports handicapping service in the business who documents wins and losses and displays them on our homepage for all to witness.  It’s because we have nothing to hide…we just win games against the spread.  Join our family today and start your winning streak tonight.

Rick Riley – FiveStarPick.com

The pros at fivestarpick.com suffered a heartbreaking loss last night as we gave our members West Virginia -16.5.  The Mountaineers were up 35-17 with 2 minutes remaining and fell victim to a back door cover via a meaningless Colorado TD with time expiring.  Tonight we look to get back on track as we give our members the winner of Pitt @ Louisville.  Las Vegas sportsbooks list Pitt as 6.5 point road favorites with a total of 53.5

Louisville’s program (1-2 straight up, 1-1 against the spread) has been on a downward spiral since Bobby Petrino (41-9) left and Pittsburgh (3-1 SU, 2-1 against the spread) has shared in the same dissapointment under Dave Wannstedt. 

Pitt is playing its second road game in as many weeks and took a 31-17 lead late in the third quarter last week at North Carolina State. But Russell Wilson threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to spark a North Carolina St. comeback victory, 38-31.  The Wolfpack covered as a 1 ½-point home dog.

In Pitt’s losing effort, Bill Stull threw for 206 yards and two TD passes without an interception. On the season, Stull has completed 65.6 percent of his throws for 746 yards with an outstanding 8/1 touchdown-interception ratio.  Pitt was not high on anyone’s depth chart this season with RB’s LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling going to the NFL, but redshirt freshman RB Dion Lewis has rushed for 493 yards and seven TDs and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

Louisville started off the season with a 30-10 home win over Indiana St. in a non-lined game.  The Cardinals then had a great shot at pulling an upset at Kentucky, but the Wildcats rallied in the fourth quarter to capture the victory.  Louisville still covered the spread as a 13-point road dog.  On the road at Utah last week, Louisville lost a 30-14 decision. The Utes covered as 14-point home favorites.

This is the 5th home dog spot for Louisville under Kragthorpe’s tenure. The Cards are 2-2 against the spread winning outright twice against Kansas St. and USF last season.  The Panthers are 5-6 ATS as road favorites under Wannstedt.

Louisville starting safety Terrence Simien remains “out” after suffering a kidney laceration in the loss at UK.  Starting LB Brandon Heath is “probable” after leaving last week’s game with a sprained ankle.  Pitt starting MLB Adam Gunn (ankle) is “probable” this week, reserve DE Tyler Tkach is “doubtful” with a foot injury and starting free safety Andrew Taglianetti is done for the season after tearing his ACL.

So who covers the spread in this matchup?  It’s very easy to find out.  Try FiveStarPick.com tonight for only ($19.99) and see if our talent for picking college and pro football winners exceeds your expectations.  We are the only sports handicapping service in the business who documents wins and losses and displays them on our homepage for all to see.  It’s because we have nothing to hide…we just win games against the spread.  Join our family today and start your winning streak tonight.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com