The North Carolina Tar Heels take on the Syracuse Orange in Syracuse, New York. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Syracuse is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -135. The total is set at 45.5 points.
Here’s my UNC vs. Syracuse prediction and college football picks for Friday, October 31.
UNC vs Syracuse Prediction, Picks
- UNC vs. Syracuse Pick: UNC +2.5 (-110, bet365)
My Syracuse vs. UNC best bet is on the Tar Heels to cover. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
UNC vs Syracuse Odds, Spread, Line
| Tar Heels Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 45 -110o / -110u | +110 |
| Orange Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 45 -110o / -110u | -130 |
- UNC vs Syracuse Spread: Syracuse -2, UNC +2
- UNC vs Syracuse Over/Under: 45 Points
- UNC vs Syracuse Moneyline: UNC ML +110, Syracuse ML -130
UNC vs Syracuse College Football Betting Preview
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
You wouldn’t necessarily know it based on the win-loss record. Still, North Carolina has played much better football over the last two weeks, in competitive losses to California and Virginia.
The Heels have ramped up the defensive energy and intensity, taken better angles in pursuit of the ball carrier, and tackled much better than what we saw in the first half of the season.
We've also seen the pass rush improve, as North Carolina has registered eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss over the past two games.
The run-stop unit has played exceptional football, holding opponents to just 80 yards per game and 2.4 yards per rushing attempt over the past three weeks.
I expect the defense to show up and play good football on Friday night in the JMA Wireless Dome.
The offense has shown flashes with quarterback Gio Lopez, and while the ground game has been disappointing this season for North Carolina, I think the Heels can exploit the Syracuse front seven and move the ball on the ground.
North Carolina has to improve its red-zone efficiency and situational execution on third down, and I expect the group to take a step forward this week.
Syracuse Orange Betting Preview
Syracuse has seen its season fall apart after a shocking road win against Clemson in Week 4.
Since that victory, the Orange have lost four straight games, all by at least 13 points, as quarterback Rickie Collins has struggled with his completion percentage and turnover avoidance.
The offensive line has struggled as well, with Syracuse averaging just 3.3 yards per rush, while allowing 20 sacks on its quarterbacks.
There are several names on the early injury report, and if those are confirmed, this offensive line could be in for a long night.
Defensively, Syracuse had its worst performance of the season last week, as the stop unit yielded 543 total yards to Georgia Tech while allowing eight yards per play. Georgia Tech was successful in early-down situations, and Syracuse allowed the Yellow Jackets to convert 8 of 12 third-down attempts while also allowing a season-high six red-zone trips.
Syracuse is banged up defensively, with several contributors from the two-deep roster listed as questionable or out for this one. Once the ACC availability report is available, we should have a clearer picture of the defense's participation.
UNC vs Syracuse NCAAF Week 10 Pick
I like what I have seen from North Carolina in recent weeks, and I'm taking the Heels against the number.
The Heels haven't quit on Bill Belichick; this group has continued to play hard despite no real season-long goals. I was impressed with how the Tar Heels competed on the road at California and while hosting Virginia last week.
I think North Carolina will be able to run the ball here against a Syracuse front seven that's allowing over five yards per carry during its losing streak and ranks 107th nationally in EPA per Rush allowed and 132nd in Rush Explosiveness allowed.
PFF grades this unit as the worst run-stop group in the ACC, and the dual-threat element of quarterback Gio Lopez — extending plays with his legs and contributing in the run game — gives the Heels an edge.
Syracuse's offense has been a mess, struggling to protect the quarterback or run the football. I think we'll see more of that here, with the offensive line having trouble against this North Carolina front seven that's been playing with renewed energy and intensity.
During the four-game losing streak, the Orange have converted just 19-of-59 third-down attempts and averaged only 12 points per game.
The offense isn't explosive, and for a team that can't run the ball well, can't protect the quarterback, and can't convert on third down, I struggle to see how it moves the ball effectively in this matchup.
Pick: UNC +2.5
UNC vs Syracuse Betting Trends to Know
