CFB: Meineke Car Care Bowl – N Carolina vs. W Virginia (1:00 PM ET, ESPN)
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2008-12-26
Back in late October, the North Carolina-West Virginia matchup was more likely to be a Gator Bowl matchup then pre-New Year’s Day encounter. Since then, both teams lost in November as favorites twice, lowering their postseason options to Charlotte. The Moutaineers, after opening as a 1-point dog, are now the favorite, thanks to 74% of the action coming in on that side.
From a travel aspect, this might work out just fine and be a good matchup. West Virginia (8-4, 4-7 ATS) has the dynamic running game led by Pat White, at 217.2 yards per game. Big problem for Mountaineers is 3-12 ATS mark away from home vs. ACC foes. North Carolina (8-4, 6-5 ATS) lived on turnovers all season, but only came up with three in last three games, losing twice. The offense never possessed the ball well and the defense was on the field almost 33 minutes per game. Coach Butch Davis teams are 6-0 ATS after no-cover in two out of three affairs.
Meineke Car Care Bowl Series Trend: North Carolina will be making its first appearance in it home-state bowl game, and looking to extend a successful run of 5-1 SU & 4-2 ATS by the ACC rep in this bowl series formerly known as the Continental Tire Bowl. The Big East is just 1-4 SU & ATS previously, but has never been represented by West Virginia.
Top ATS Trend
• W VIRGINIA is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in road games against ACC opponents since 1992. The average score was W VIRGINIA 21.3, OPPONENT 29.5 - (Rating = 1*)
Top Totals Trend
• W VIRGINIA is 19-5 OVER (+13.5 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992. The average score was W VIRGINIA 33.3, OPPONENT 24.9 - (Rating = 2*)
Recent NORTH CAROLINA Bowl Game Trends
* N CAROLINA has gone 5-1 SU & 4-1-1 ATS in its L6 bowl games.
* The favorite is 6-1 SU & 5-1-1 ATS in N CAROLINA's L7 bowl games.
* N CAROLINA played in Charlotte bowl game in '04, losing to BC 37-24.
Recent WEST VIRGINIA Bowl Game Trends
* Underdogs have gone 6-2 ATS in L8 W VIRGINIA bowl games.
* W VIRGINIA is 1-5 SU & 0-6 ATS in its L6 bowl games vs. ACC teams.
* Eight of the L9 W VIRGINIA bowl games have gone OVER the total.
StatFox Power Ratings say: WEST VIRGINIA by 6