Meineke Car Care Bowl: North Carolina vs. West Virginia
Free Bowl Betting Pick: North Carolina
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In 2006, West Virginia averaged 39 points and 461 yards per game en route to an eleven win season and a win over Georgia Tech in the Gator Bowl. In 2007, the Mountaineers were just as good offensively: 40 points per game on 457 yards. They won the Big East and upset #3 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl; their second BCS Bowl win in a three year span.

While West Virginia returned eight starters on offense from last year’s team, opposing defenses have caught up with the Mountaineers schemes. Senior quarterback Pat White declined markedly from his junior year when he was the Big East Offensive Player of the Year. Running back Noel Devine could not fill the shoes of the departed Steve Slaton. The receiving corps was limited at best. And West Virginia was held to 24 points and 352 yards per game; a significant drop-off for a team that expected to contend for BCS glory once again.

And make no mistake about it – the Meineke Car Care Bowl is not exactly the venue that is likely to get this team motivated. North Carolina enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, earning their first winning season since 2001. All reports indicate that head coach Butch Davis is staying put in Chapel Hill, and this home state game gives the healthy Tar Heels an excellent opportunity to build additional momentum with a solid bowl victory. 1* Take North Carolina. – Courtesy of Ted Sevransky

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4. North Carolina vs. Rutgers Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: September 11th 2008
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