CHARLOTTE -- Saturday's game between North Carolina and Pittsburgh marks the second straight year that UNC has played its bowl game in Charlotte and the Mieneke Car Care Bowl.
But it will be a completely different team and matchup.
The Tar Heels bring a stiffling defense (ranked sixth nationally in total defense) and a pounding running game behind bruising tailback Ryan Houston. Gone is the high-flying Hakeem Nicks who almost took UNC to victory in 2008. It's a more physical team, and UNC will need to be physical.
The opponent is Pittsburgh, the third-place team from the Big East. The Panthers faltered down the stretch of their season, losing to both West Virginia and Cincinnati, the two teams ahead of them in the final conference standings.
But Pittsburgh brings a unique set of challenges, namely Dion Lewis. The freshman tailback is third in the nation in rushing yards per game with 136. He is the best single back UNC faces this season -- and Saturday Quan Sturdivant, Bruce Carter and Marvin Austin will have their swan song in attempting to stop or slow Lewis down.
It's a far cry from Pat White and West Virginia's prolific offense which downed UNC last year, 31-30.
Neither team had the Car Care Bowl at the top of its list. The Tar Heels were in the conversation for a potential Gator or Chic-Fil-A Bowl bid until a season-ending loss to N.C. State killed those hopes. Pitt had every shot to win the Big East, but stumbled twice in the final two weeks.
But if the Tar Heels can pull off a win Saturday at Bank of America Stadium, it will be another step towards the program that Butch Davis, Dick Baddour and the University have said they wanted -- and can also only help the progress of the $70 million rennovation of Kenan Stadium. UNC hasn't won a bowl game since 2001 when it defeated Auburn in the Peach Bowl.
Check http://dailytarheel.com/section/Sports for in-game coverage.
