The Panthers had their guts punched on Dec. 5 at Heinz Field. Playing on home turf in the Steel City, coach Dave Wannstedt\u2019s boys endured a crushing 45-44 loss to Cincinnati, falling just short of a Big East championship and a trip to the Sugar Bowl.<\/p>\n
CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST NCAA FOOTBALL BOWL GAME GAMBLING PICKS!! —–><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Pittsburgh accumulated a 31-10 lead in the second quarter, the product of complete domination against a shell-shocked Cincy squad. With running back Dion Lewis going wild against Cincinnati \u2013 the fabulous freshman rolled for 194 yards on 47 carries \u2013 the Panthers should have been in prime position to protect a 21-point lead. Yet, after botching an extra point with 1:36 remaining, Pitt watched the Bearcats score a touchdown with 33 seconds left, followed by a winning extra point kick.<\/p>\n North Carolina: The Week That Was<\/strong><\/p>\n The Tar Heels weren\u2019t playing for a conference title, but coach Butch Davis saw his team suffer a season-ending defeat that was considerably painful in its own right. UNC dropped its third consecutive contest against rival North Carolina State, 28-27.<\/p>\n It\u2019s never fun to lose an in-state showdown, but what has to sting North Carolina partisans is the fact that the Tar Heels were facing one of North Carolina State\u2019s weaker ballclubs. The Week That Is:<\/strong><\/p>\n As Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis \u2013 former colleagues as assistant coaches with both the Miami Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys \u2013 reunite in Charlotte this Saturday, the big question concerns the motivation levels of the two teams, particularly the Panthers.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh has a better club, without much question; no one on North Carolina can match Dion Lewis as a runner, and the Tar Heels can\u2019t equal the receiving skills of Pitt wideout Jonathan Baldwin. If Pittsburgh plays with passion, Carolina won\u2019t be able to keep up.<\/p>\n Ah, but that\u2019s where predicting this game becomes tricky. Pittsburgh had no business losing to Cincinnati three weeks ago\u2026not after gaining an early 21-point lead. The Panthers often slip on the banana peel in big moments, and their lack of mental toughness is their biggest fundamental weakness. Will it come into play in this game? It easily could.<\/p>\n Ultimately, though, the verdict is that a team with its eyes on the 2010 Big East title (Pitt will be a strong favourite) will begin the push for next season. Wannstedt will get his team to focus, and North Carolina will fall short as a result.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/football\/sportsbook_NCAAGOTW1_300x600_mybanner1.gif\")
<\/a> The woeful Wolfpack entered the Nov. 28 game with a 4-7 record, thanks to a consistently toothless defence. However, quarterback T.J. Yates and the rest of the Carolina offense were shut out in the final 22 minutes. Such a miserable showing against a weak opponent ultimately caught up with UNC.<\/p>\n