The Duke Blue Devils (3-1, 0-0 ACC) and North Carolina Tar Heels (2-2, 1-2) meet Saturday at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET. Below, we look at the Duke vs. North Carolina odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Blue Devils rolled up a 52-33 win at home against Kansas last Saturday, the third consecutive win, cover and Over result for Duke. RB Mataeo Durant went over 100 rushing yards for the third time in four games. He has 11 touchdowns, including 8 rushing with at least one TD run in each game.
The Tar Heels were blasted 45-22 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in a neutral-site game against Georgia Tech. The defense has yielded 42.0 points per game (PPG) in the past two games, and the Over has cashed in three straight for UNC.
Duke at North Carolina odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:11 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Duke +700 (bet $100 to win $700) | North Carolina -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Duke +20.5 (-120) | North Carolina -20.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 71.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Duke at North Carolina odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
North Carolina 45, Duke 34
Money line
North Carolina (-1200) has been a little tough to figure lately. It fell flat on its face in a 17-10 loss at Virginia Tech but appeared to have the offense back on track with consecutive 59-point showings.
However, the struggles at Georgia Tech were inexplicable, and a win over rival Duke for the Victory Bell isn’t a given. Laying 12 times your potential return is extremely risky behavior.
AVOID and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
DUKE +20.5 (-120) is an amazing value, catching nearly three touchdowns. The Blue Devils might not head back up US 15/501 with the Victory Bell in tow, but they will head back up to Durham with the cover.
North Carolina has struggled mightily this season, and it will have its hands full trying to corral Durant in the run game. Duke has received solid play from QB Gunnar Holmberg and WR Jake Bobo, too. The Blue Devils are definitely not a one-trick pony.
The Blue Devils defense will have difficulty shutting down North Carolina QB Sam Howell, however. The defense is allowing 422.3 total yards per game, and 26.0 PPG.
Over/Under
OVER 71.5 (-115) is a strong play in this rivalry game between two teams with strong offenses and defenses, which have been having difficulty.
Last season UNC came away with a 56-24 win at Wallace Wade Stadium. While the Under is actually 7-2 in the past nine meetings at Kenan, this is easily Duke’s most explosive offense in years. Durant, Holmberg and Bobo will keep the Blue Devils in this high-scoring affair until the fourth quarter.
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