In a battle featuring two schools that like to keep the ball on the ground, Hokies of Virginia Tech (+3.5) are gearing up to welcome the North Carolina Tar Heels (-3.5) to Lane Stadium/Worsham Field. CHSS is scheduled to televise the action and this vital ACC matchup kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET. These squads met last year with the final result being a 22-19 victory for Virginia Tech.
Betting Preview: North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech is the underdog in this ACC game and is currently being given 3.5 points. The Tar Heels are also receiving -175 moneyline odds while the Hokies are +155. If one side finds paydirt in the early stages it will result in a solid betting opportunity in-game. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 56 points.
Sharp bettors are siding with the under. The game’s O/U was originally placed at 57.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this year as the Tar Heels have gained 3.6 units while the Hokies are up 1.8 units.
The Tar Heels are 3-3 straight up (SU), including 2-2 SU against conference opponents. The Hokies are 4-2 SU overall and 1-2 SU in conference play.
The Tar Heels are trying to maintain momentum after a solid 38-22 victory over Georgia Tech on October 5. Sam Howell completed 33-of-51 passes for 376 yards, four scores and one interception. Michael Carter (only 68 yards on 20 rush attempts) and Javonte Williams (144 yards on 20 carries, one TD) led the ground attack while Dazz Newsome (eight receptions, 81 yards, one TD) and Dyami Brown (six catches, 77 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Virginia Tech just earned a 34-17 win over Rhode Island. The defensive secondary allowed the Rams to air it out for 286 yards. Isaiah Coulter had a productive outing in the defeat for Rhode Island, accounting for 152 yards on nine catches. For Virginia Tech, Hendon Hooker completed 16-of-27 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Hooker (43 yards on 15 rush attempts) and Deshawn McClease (124 yards on 12 carries, one TD) mounted the running game while Damon Hazelton (five receptions, 93 yards, two TDs) and Tayvion Robinson (four catches, 48 yards) led all Virginia Tech pass-catchers in the win.
North Carolina has run the ball on 55.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Virginia Tech has a rush percentage of 60.4 percent. The Tar Heels have rushed for 163.7 yards per game (including 149.5 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have four scores on the ground this year. The Hokies are logging 162 rushing yards per game (130 in conference) and have eight total rush TDs.
If 2019 results are any indication, then the Hokies should hold an edge along both the offensive and defensive fronts. Their offensive line has given up just 12 sacks while the D-line has registered 20 sacks. The Tar Heels offensive line has given up 20 sacks and their defense has recorded only 13 sacks.
The Heels offensive scheme has averaged 261.5 yards through the air overall (250.3 per game against conference opposition) and has 15 passing TDs so far. The Hokies have put up 217.3 pass yards per game (216 in the ACC) and have 14 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, North Carolina seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 160.8 rush yards and 211 pass yards per game. The Virginia Tech D has allowed 234.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 145.7 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Heels have given up an ANY/A of 5.52 to opposing QBs, while the Hokies are yielding an ANY/A of 5.34.
Offensively, Howell is up to 1,400 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 108-of-168 attempts with 13 scores through the air and only three interceptions. Howell’s got a 7.77 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.93 over the last two games.
Hendon Hooker has completed 17-of-29 passes for 269 yards, three TDs and zero INTs for Virginia Tech. His ANY/A stands at 10.26 for the year and 10.61 across his past two games.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Free Pick
SU Winner: North Carolina, ATS Winner: North Carolina, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- The O/U for North Carolina’s last game was set at 47. The over cashed in the team’s 38-22 victory over Georgia Tech.
- North Carolina has rushed for 4.1 yards per attempt across its last three contests and 4.4 over its last two.
- Virginia Tech has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 4.5 over its past two.
- The Virginia Tech offense has lost six fumbles this season while North Carolina has let three get away.
- Over its last three games, North Carolina is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Virginia Tech has won five of its last six games SU, with a -35-point loss to Duke on September 27th representing its only slip-up over that stretch.
- The Hokies have made nine pass plays of 30+ yards while the Tar Heels have produced eight such plays.
- The North Carolina defense has allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards, while Virginia Tech has given up four such plays.
- The North Carolina offense has created 13 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Virginia Tech has created nine such runs.
- The Tar Heels defense has allowed 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Hokies have given up 12 such runs.
- The Virginia Tech defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 20 times this season. North Carolina has produced just 13 sacks.
