West Virginia Mountaineers vs. North Carolina Tarheels
The Meineke Car Care Bowl
Saturday, December 27, 2008
1:00 P.M. ET
The eighth annual Meineke Car Care Bowl features two teams with identical 8-4 records. The Mountaineers have a 4-8 bowl record since 1993 (4-8 ATS) while the Tarheels are 6-3 for the same period (5-3 ATS). Unranked WVU has had a forgettable season after several years with top ten rankings and New Year’s Day bowl bids. This year’s bowl game is a rematch of the 1997 Gator Bowl, which the Tarheels won 20-13. NC was in the hunt for the ACC title until it lost two of its last three games. Second year Coach Butch Davis could become the Tarheels” winningest coach since 1997 with a victory in Charlotte.
West Virginia: UP: QB Pat White is the all-time leading rushing quarterback in NCAA history. He has thrown 1514 yards at a 63+ % rate and has 18 TDs vs. 6 INT. The offense relies heavily on the rush, averaging 217 yards against 135 yards passing. The Mountaineer defense led the Big East in fewest points per game allowed. They use a 3-3-5 defense that has speed as it trademark. DOWN: Although they are a rush centered offense, they often struggle with short yardage downs, resulting in turning over the ball. Senior C Mike Dent’s career is over with a pinched nerve in his neck. Special teams ace Jim Lewis, a senior also, missed the last game with a broken foot. He will try to play one more game. The defense has given up 325 yards a game, leaving only a +25 yard net over their opponents.
North Carolina: UP: QB T. J. Yates has returned after missing 7 games due to a broken ankle. He completed 15 of his first 16, had 3 TD passes, and looked on top of his game last week. WR Hakeem Nicks is NC’s first 1000+ yard receiver. He had 60 catches, with 9 for TDs. The defense has 19 interceptions for a sixth place standing nationally. LB Bruce Carter had 61 tackles (9 for loss, 3 sacks), and five blocked kicks on special teams. DOWN: LB Mark Paschal is out with a spinal cord injury. The Tarheels defense gives up 358 yards per game. Their offense is lacking in rush yardage, having only 1501 for the year. Most of those rushing yards came in just 5 games. They have been held to as few as 35 yards rushing for a game.
Keys to the Game: The Tarheels must contain White’s rushing and improvising style of play. Hicks must find holes in the secondary so Yates can get the ball to him. The Mountaineers must take advantage of NC’s spotty defense with a good mix of the pass and the run. Offensive line must contain Carter’s attempts to negate White’s effectiveness.
By the Numbers: The line shows a tossup for the game. WVU is 4-7 ATS & O/U while NC is 6-5 ATS and 7-4 O/U. The Mountaineers are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 against ACC teams. In their last 8 non-conference games under is 6-2. For the Tarheels over is 7-2 in their last 9 against Big East teams and they are 11-5 vs. a winning record team. In bowl games since 1993 WVU is 4-8 SU and ATS. NC is 6-3 SU and 5-3 ATS over the same time period. This matchup promises some great rushing backs as well as very talented receivers. Linebackers and special teams will have a significant effect on the game’s outcome.