East Carolina @ North Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2011 ) North Carolina 35, East Carolina 20

North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner has to be brimming with confidence as the Tar Heels host East Carolina on Saturday. Renner passed for a career-best five touchdowns last week – three in the fourth quarter – as the Tar Heels nearly caught nationally-ranked Louisville in a 39-34 loss. That effort eclipsed the four touchdowns he threw at East Carolina in a 35-20 victory last season. The Tar Heels certainly showed they can put up points without top running back Giovani Bernard last week. Bernard, who rushed for 146 yards against the Pirates last year, has missed the last two games with a knee injury and is still questionable. East Carolina will need a strong effort from a defense that recorded five sacks to beat Southern Mississippi 24-14 last Saturday, but has allowed 310 yards passing per contest.

TV: 3:30 ET, ESPNU. LINE: North Carolina -16.5

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (2-1): Coach Ruffin McNeill switched quarterbacks last week and it seemed to do the trick. Shane Carden threw for 171 yards and a touchdown, but most importantly committed no turnovers. Carden replaced Rio Johnson, who passed for 435 yards in the first two games but threw four interceptions. Carden, who also ran for a score, was efficient with the spread offense and used his top receiver Justin Hardy when needed. Hardy has 19 receptions for 241 yards and three TDs in 2012. The Pirates have been pretty good against the run and have caused seven turnovers, but will have to contain the strong-armed Renner.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (1-2. 0-1 ACC): The Tar Heels are averaging 41 points and Renner’s nine touchdown passes are tied for fourth in the nation. Running back Romar Morris emerged as a major threat for Renner last week, recording two touchdowns receiving and 202 all-purpose yards. The Tar Heels still need the elusive and versatile Bernard, who has 17 touchdowns in 14 career games. Coach Larry Fedora said he was hopeful Bernard could play this Saturday. Wide receiver Erik Highsmith leads the Tar Heels with 14 receptions and his 15th could have won the Louisville game, but it was knocked away in the final seconds.

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Carolina leads the all-time series 11-2-1 with four straight victories on the field, although the 2009 win was vacated due to NCAA penalty.

2. East Carolina hopes to improve to 3-1 for only the second time since 2001.

3. Tar Heels kicker Casey Barth has made 131 PATS, two from tying the school record, and 97 straight.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 31, East Carolina 14.