North Carolina vs. Syracuse Odds, Prediction: Best Bets for Tonight’s CFB Game at JWA Wireless Dome

Two downtrodden programs clash tonight in ACC play as North Carolina travels to face Syracuse in the JMA Wireless Dome. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Watching North Carolina play its best game of the season in person last Saturday against No. 15 Virginia, it’s difficult to overcome some recency bias.

The Tar Heels were stout defensively and ultimately lost on the final play of overtime. Give Bill Belichick credit for trying to win the game on a two-point conversion, which came up just inches short. The 17-16 defeat dropped UNC to 2-5 on the season. The Tar Heels are riding a two-game winning streak against the spread, following close losses to UVA and Cal.

Syracuse’s season hit the skids after starting QB Steve Angeli went down with a torn Achilles against Clemson. The Orange (3-5 SU, 3-4-1 ATS) got crushed by No. 8 Georgia Tech 41-16 last weekend. Tonight’s game should be more competitive, with DraftKings dealing Syracuse as a 2.5-point favorite with a modest total of 45.5.

Best Bet for North Carolina vs. Syracuse: Against the Spread

North Carolina +2.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

UNC held Virginia to 59 rushing yards and picked off Chandler Morris once last weekend. Recently, North Carolina’s defense has shown notable improvement, recording eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss in the previous two games.

It’s a different story for the offense under the direction of quarterback Gio Lopez, who’s been highly inconsistent. Lopez was picked off twice against the Cavaliers, but did hit Davion Gause for a 9-yard TD. He has more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4) on the year.

We’re banking on UNC’s defense to show up big again and help the Tar Heels get over the hump tonight. Syracuse has now dropped four straight games since Angeli left the field at Clemson, where the Orange pulled off a huge 34-21 upset as a 17.5-point dog.

That was the last time Syracuse celebrated a victory. None of the losses have been particularly close:

• Duke 38 Syracuse 3
• SMU 31 Syracuse 18
• Pitt 30 Syracuse 13
• Georgia Tech 41 Syracuse 16

Much like Lopez, Syracuse backup quarterback Rickie Collins has struggled with seven interceptions in four starts. He’s been sacked nine times. Collins could be replaced by freshman QB Luke Carney tonight. Syracuse also struggles to run the ball, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.

On the other side of the ball, Syracuse’s defense is vulnerable against the run. Opponents average 172.6 rushing yards per game. That ranks the Orange No. 97 in the country.

UNC should be able to move the ball with RB Demon June, who averages 6.2 yards a pop. Fellow RB Benjamin Hall has seen his carries increase over the past two games, and he should be heavily involved tonight.

Give us UNC +2.5 with a sprinkle on the moneyline at +110.

Best Player Prop for North Carolina

RB Benjamin Hall OVER 43.5 Rushing Yards (-114 at FanDuel)

Hall was limited to single-digit carries during his first three games. He assumed a larger role in the 21-18 loss at Cal with 14 carries for 68 yards and a TD. Last week, he finished with 50 rushing yards on 11 totes.

We’ve documented just how bad Syracuse struggles against the run. The Orange are banged up on that side of the ball, too, and this appears to be a very getable number for Hall.

Best Player Prop for Syracuse

WR Darrell Gill Jr. Anytime TD Scorer (+185 at FanDuel)

Gill is averaging a TD per game over Syracuse’s last six contests. He’s also riding a two-game scoring streak after hitting paydirt against Georgia Tech and Pitt.

With the uncertainty surrounding Collins, Gill could be catching balls from a different quarterback tonight. That might not be a bad thing for him and the Syracuse offense.