GAME NOTES: The 17th-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers gun for their first double- digit win campaign since 1981, as they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2009 Car Care Bowl in Charlotte.

At 9-3, the Panthers have obviously enjoyed a successful season, but things could have been a whole lot different if not for a poor finish. Pitt carried a Top 10 ranking into its final two games of the regular season, but lost out on the Big East title and BCS bowl game with heart-breaking setbacks to West Virginia (19-16) and undefeated Cincinnati (45-44). Despite missing out on a BCS game, Pitt can still complete a terrific campaign and notch its first 10- win campaign since finishing 11-1 behind Dan Marino in 1981.

"Our program is excited to play another football game and have the opportunity to potentially earn a 10th victory," Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt said. "The Meineke Car Care Bowl organizers are outstanding people and professionals, and I know our team will have a first-class experience when we visit Charlotte."

This is Pitt's 26th all-time bowl appearance and it has gone 10-15 in such games. The Panthers have dropped three straight postseason bouts, including a 3-0 setback to Oregon State in the 2008 Sun Bowl.

As for the Tar Heels, they are making their 27th all-time appearance in a bowl game and their second straight to the Car Care Bowl. UNC was nipped by West Virginia, 31-30, in the 2008 Car Care Bowl, dropping the program to 12-14 in bowl games. Despite the loss last year, head coach Butch Davis is still excited about a return trip to Charlotte.

"Our program is excited for the opportunity to play in back-to-back bowl games and make a return trip to Charlotte," said coach Davis. "Our players are excited to continue their season and play so close to home."

UNC earned its way to the bowl game with an 8-4 showing during the regular season, including four wins in its final five outings.

This is the seventh meeting between Pitt and UNC on the gridiron, with the Tar Heels holding a 4-2 edge in the series. The teams last met in 2000, when the Tar Heels notched a 20-17 victory over the Panthers at Three Rivers Stadium.

The biggest surprise for Pitt this season is without question tailback Dion Lewis, who emerged as one of the top rushers in the nation despite being a freshman. The elusive back has rushed for 1,640 yards and scored 17 touchdowns, as he was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Lewis, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in seven straight games, is just 47 yards away from breaking Tony Dorsett's school record for rushing yards by a freshman.

Quarterback Bill Stull have benefited from the attention paid to Lewis, as he has completed 64.6 percent of his tosses on the season. The senior gunslinger has thrown for 21 touchdowns against eight picks, while averaging 205.8 passing ypg.

Jonathan Baldwin, a 6-5 athletic receiver, is Stull's big-play target and he has enjoyed a terrific campaign with 1,080 yards and eight scores. Tight end Dorin Dickerson is another weapon that will surely be utilized and he is especially dangerous in the red zone, grabbing a team-best 10 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Panthers aren't a heavy blitzing team, but thanks to a stout line, they lead the nation with 44 sacks on the campaign. Defensive end Greg Romeus highlights the active line and despite consistent double teams, he still leads the squad in sacks (eight), to go with 10.5 TFLs and 11 QBHs.

Getting to quarterbacks isn't the only strength of this unit, as Pitt has done well to limit opponents to just 108.4 rushing ypg. The secondary is also solid and the Panthers have recorded 14 interceptions against just 15 passing touchdowns surrendered.

Safety Dom DeCicco leads the team and the secondary with 85 stops and three picks and he will surely have an impact on this weekend.

The Tar Heels have had their fare share of struggles on offense this season, averaging just 311.4 total ypg, but the unit did show improvement down the stretch. Quarterback T.J. Yates has struggled at times and is certainly prone to mistakes, throwing only 12 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. He however, can be effective and has hit on 60.4 percent of his tosses for 1,953 yards.

Greg Little is the main outlet for Yates with 55 receptions for 637 yards and three scores this season.

In the backfield, Ryan Houston took over after starter Shaun Draughn was lost due to a shoulder injury late in the season. Houston, a more powerful runner, leads the team with 630 yards and nine scores, although he is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry.

UNC's success this season can be attributed to the defense, which is among the best around. The Tar Heels are limiting opponents to a mere 16.9 ppg and only 267.8 total ypg, while recording 31 sacks and 28 turnovers.

The defense has been especially good against the run and ranks ninth nationally, allowing only 92.8 ypg and just 2.8 yards per carry. The unit has also fared well versus the pass and ranks in the Top 10 in interceptions with 19.

Robert Quinn has developed into one of the most feared pass rushers in the nation and he has had a remarkable run up to this point, leading the Tar Heels with 11 sacks and 19 TFLs. Corner Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams are two players to keep an eye out for in the back, as they have combined for 11 interceptions and 314 return yards on those picks.

Pitt's defense isn't as strong as UNC's, but the unit is certainly good enough to slow down the Tar Heels' offense. Expect the Panthers to do enough on offense, while dominating on defense for the win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Pittsburgh 24, North Carolina 13