The North Carolina Tar Heels (-10) are set to face off against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. Kickoff for this ACC showdown is set for 4:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ACC Network.
Betting Preview: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Georgia Tech is a live dog in this one and is currently getting 10 points. In order to take the favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently need to lay down $400 to win $100 back on the Tar Heels (-400). The Yellow Jackets are getting +300 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 49.5 points. If the underdog strikes early, it would probably generate a nice live betting opportunity.
The line originally opened at 8 and the game’s over/under was initially set at 50.5, so the general public is favoring both the Tar Heels and the under.
The Tar Heels are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.6 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U record of 2-3.
The Yellow Jackets have gained 0.0 units this season. The team is 0-4 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-3.
The Tar Heels are 2-3 straight up (SU), including 1-2 SU against conference opponents. The Yellow Jackets are 1-3 SU overall and 0-1 SU in conference play.
When these two teams met last year, Georgia Tech got the victory 38-28.
The Tar Heels are looking to get back in stride after a narrow 21-20 defeat to Clemson last week. Sam Howell completed just 15 passes on 27 attempts for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Carter (99 yards on 16 rushes) and Javonte Williams (49 yards on 10 carries, one TD) led the running attack while Dyami Brown (three receptions, 63 yards, one TD) and Beau Corrales (three catches, 25 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Georgia Tech just fell in a one-sided affair, 24-2 to Temple. The defensive unit let the Owls rush for 195 yards on 49 attempts, including two rush TDs. Re’Mahn Davis had a good showing for Temple, recording 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 attempts. As a group, the Yellow Jackets collectively completed 14-of-35 passes for 174 yards and one interception. James Graham went 10-for-24 for 100 yards and one interception while Tobias Oliver was four-of-11 for 74 yards. Tobias Oliver (68 yards on 11 rush attempts) mounted the running game as Jalen Camp (four receptions, 63 yards) and Ahmarean Brown (three catches, 64 yards) led the receiving corps in the loss.
North Carolina has run the ball on 57.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Georgia Tech has a rush percentage of 65.1 percent. The Tar Heels have produced 154.2 rush yards/game (including 129 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have three touchdowns on the ground this year. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 163 rush yards per game and have five total rushing TDs.
The Heels offensive scheme has averaged 238.6 yards through the air overall (208.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 11 passing TDs so far. The Yellow Jackets have recorded 126.3 pass yards per game and have two total pass scores.
North Carolina has allowed opponents to run for an average of 163 yards and throw for 219 yards per game. The Georgia Tech D has allowed 136.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 254.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Yellow Jackets are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.77 to opponents, while the Tar Heels have allowed a 5.75 ANY/A.
Oliver has connected on 9-of-23 passes for 150 yards, zero TDs and two INTs for Georgia Tech. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at a horrendous 1.41 for the year and 6.67 across his past two outings. In the other huddle, Howell is up to 845 passing yards this season. He’s completed 63-of-103 attempts with eight passing touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception. Howell’s got a 7.78 ANY/A for the year, although that number sits at 5.89 over the last two games.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Free Pick
SU Winner: North Carolina, ATS Winner: North Carolina, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The North Carolina defensive unit has 11 sacks on the year while Georgia Tech has six.
- Georgia Tech has lost five fumbles in 2019 while North Carolina has lost three.
- The Tar Heels offense has registered three pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Yellow Jackets have accounted for two such plays.
- The North Carolina defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Georgia Tech has given up two such plays.
- The North Carolina offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Georgia Tech has created five such runs.
- The Tar Heels defense has allowed eight rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Yellow Jackets have given up five such runs.
- The O/U for Georgia Tech’s previous outing going into it was 47.5. The under cashed in the 24-2 defeat to Temple.
- In its last three games, Georgia Tech is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- In its last three games, North Carolina is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for North Carolina’s last game was 61.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-20 defeat to Clemson.
- North Carolina has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its past three games and 3.8 over its last two.
- Georgia Tech has averaged 4.2 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.6 over its past two.
