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2008 Meineke Bowl Odds – West Virginia v. North Carolina Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

wvu-unc

Many thought the West Virginia Mountaineers and the North Carolina Tar Heels might meet in a BCS Bowl as champions of the Big East and the ACC, but both teams stumbled down the stretch to squander away those chances. The two teams face off on Saturday December 27th in Charlotte, NC in the Meineke Bowl instead. West Virginia is a 1.5-point favorite with the total set at 44.5.

The Mountaineers and the Tar Heels would much rather be playing in the Orange Bowl, but fate would not have it that way. West Virginia won a season-high five straight games from September 27-November 1 before splitting its final four games. Both of those losses were by a combined seven points and forced the Mountaineers into a tie with Pitt and Rutgers for second place in the Big East. West Virginia finished the regular season with an 8-4 record.

West Virginia has become very accustomed to playing postseason football. This will be the school’s seventh straight bowl appearance. It is the second straight under head coach Bill Stewart, who engineered a 48-28 upset win over Oklahoma in last season’s Fiesta Bowl on a interim basis after Rich Rodriguez headed for Michigan.

North Carolina got off to a hot start, winning seven of its first nine games. That run included solid wins over Top 25 opponents, UConn, Boston College, and Georgia Tech by an astounding average of 22.6 points per game. Losses at Maryland and at home to rival North Carolina State were at least put to rest with a 28-20 win over Duke to finish the regular season. UNC is also 8-4 and finished in a tie with Miami for third in the ACC Coastal Division standings. It was a very successful season considering that the Heels were just 4-8 a season ago.

The North Carolina defense will most certainly have its hands full as West Virginia puts, perhaps, the nation’s best running duo on the field in QB Pat White and running back Noel Devine. White is the NCAA’s all-time leader in career rushing yards among QB’s with 4,425 yards, including four 200-yard games. White ran for 919 yards with eight touchdowns in 11 games this season. Over his career, White has become a much better passer. He threw for 1,510 yards and 18 touchdowns against only six interceptions. Devine picked up where NFL draftee Steve Slaton left off. He was third in the Big East with 1,228 rushing yards but had only three touchdowns. Devine ran for a career-best 207 yards on Oct. 23 in a 34-17 win over Auburn. If you like the Mountaineers to get it done behind their strong running game, bet West Virginia at -1.5 at BetUS.

The Tar Heels offense is led by QB T.J. Yates. Yates missed five games with a broken ankle, which perhaps kept the Heels from winning the ACC. He finished the season strong against Duke, completing 15 of 19 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. In only six games, Yates threw for 957 yards and nine touchdowns against only three picks. If Yates struggles, coach Butch Davis will have the option to go with Cameron Sexton who filled in admirably with 1,261 yards and nine touchdowns against six picks. Shaun Draughn led the Heels with 801 rushing yards. UNC also likes to turn to Ryan Houston in short yardage spots. He had a team-high eight rushing scores this season. If you like the Heels in their home state, bet North Carolina at +1.5 at BetUS and receive up to 145% in sign up bonuses.

It is worth noting that North Carolina has not won a bowl game since beating Auburn in the 2001 Peach Bowl. Both team have been jinxed in this bowl game. West Virginia lost 48-22 to Virginia in the first Meineke Bowl and UNC lost 37-24 to Boston College in 2004.

Beating the college football odds is a cinch with Jimmy Boyd’s football picks. Do you football betting with Jimmy Boyd this bowl season and watch your bankroll skyrocket!

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Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 22, 2008 · Filed Under College Football Betting Articles, News & Previews

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