Syracuse vs. UNC Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Drake Maye, Tar Heels Cover?
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels will host the Syracuse Orange in Week 6 of College Football. Will Drake Maye and the Tar Heels cover? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay breaks this game down.
Matt MacKay - October 2, 2023, 12:40 PM EDT
7 minSyracuse vs. UNC Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Drake Maye, Tar Heels Cover?
After getting a week off, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels will host the Syracuse Orange in Week 6. Led by NFL quarterback draft prospect, Drake Maye, the Tar Heels have looked sharp under head coach Mack Brown, despite the continued absence of transfer wideout, Tez Walker, serving a suspension due to an eligibility ruling from the NCAA.
Syracuse is nursing its 31-14 loss at home to Clemson, getting outplayed from the start, winding up with less than 300 total yards of offense. The Orange face a Tar Heels defense that has looked good, allowing only 22 points per game, ranked 46th in the FBS. Conversely, Syracuse's defense is among the best in the country, ranked 18th out of 133 FBS programs, allowing under 15 points per game on average.
It's been three years since these ACC programs have played each other on the gridiron, with the Tar Heels winning the last matchup in Chapel Hill 31-6 to cover as 24-point favorites. Now, with Maye under center, oddsmakers have UNC at -8.5 ATS, with a point total line set to 58.5 at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Will Maye and the Tar Heels extend their undefeated record to potentially climb into the top-ten? Or will Syracuse head coach Dino Babers scheme up the perfect game plan to contain the Tar Heels' high-octane offense? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay is here to share his latest prediction and pick for Syracuse vs. UNC.
Syracuse vs. UNC Start Time, Where to Watch, Odds
- Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Syracuse vs. UNC Odds
- Spread: Syracuse +9.5 (-105), UNC -9.5 (-115)
- Total Odds: Under 58.5 (-110), Over 58.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Syracuse (+290), UNC (-375)
Syracuse vs. UNC Injury Report
Syracuse
Questionable: N/A
Out: WR Isaiah Jones (Undisclosed), TE Oronde Gadsden II (Ankle),
UNC
Questionable: WR Gavin Blackwell (Upper Body), RB Elijah Green (Illness), K Ryan Coe (Lower Body),
Out: WR Tez Walker (Eligibility)
Syracuse vs. UNC Prediction
Each game Syracuse has played this season has been progressively harder. A 65-0 rout of Colgate in Week 1, plus a win over Army in Week 4, had the Orange 4-0 until running into Clemson's defense in Week 5. Quarterback Garrett Shrader is more effective as a ball carrier than a passer, which is why he's attempted 61 carries compared to 137 passes this season. Shrader has been effective as a runner, to his credit, averaging 5.6 YPC and racking up six rushing touchdowns, compared to eight touchdowns and four interceptions when throwing the football.
UNC plays at a much faster pace than Syracuse, marching right down the field with aggressive throws from Maye, who is also no slouch as a ball carrier. Maye is still an elite passer though, completing over 72 percent of his attempts for nearly 1,200 yards and five touchdowns. The Tar Heels rely on their backfield, led by Omarion Hampton, who is averaging 5.2 YPC with seven rushing touchdowns to account for.
Nate McCollum, Kobe Paysour, and J.J. Jones form the wide receiving corps for Maye to target and it could turn into a long day for the Orange pass defense. Syracuse has allowed two quarterbacks to record at least a 62 percent completion rate in two of its last three games played, both resulting in 263 yards and 323 yards respectively. Running the ball against Syracuse is tougher, as they are allowing 2.7 YPC, but they haven't been able to hold up in the red zone.
UNC will push the football downfield aggressively, resulting in multiple red zone trips. Maye and Hampton become even more threatening that close to the end zone, so despite the strong start for Syracuse, their brand of football is not built to keep pace with UNC. Let's place our bets on the Tar Heels to cover the spread at -9.5 during a home game following their Bye Week.
Syracuse vs. UNC Pick
- UNC -9.5 -105 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
College Football Odds
