James Madison at North Carolina odds, picks and predictions

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

The North Carolina Tar Heels (3-0) welcome the James Madison Dukes (2-0) to Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon ET (ACC Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the James Madison vs. North Carolina odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

North Carolina opened its season up with a 19-17 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on the road, pushing as a 1-point favorite. It beat the Charlotte 49ers 38-20 in Week 2 action and the North Carolina Central Eagles 45-10 in Week 3, failing to cover as a 21-point and 38-point favorite. North Carolina is 0-2-1 against the spread (ATS) through 3 weeks.

James Madison has also played the Charlotte 49ers and beat them 30-7 to start the season, covering as a 6.5-point favorite. It beat Gardner-Webb 13-6 in Week 2, failing to cover as a massive 36.5-point favorite. The Dukes are led by dual-threat QB Alonza Barnett who has 354 passing yards and 104 rushing yards in 2 games. The Dukes are 1-1 ATS.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

James Madison at North Carolina odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Friday at 2:51 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): James Madison +333 (bet $100 to win $333) | North Carolina -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): James Madison +10.5 (-110) | North Carolina -10.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 48.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

James Madison at North Carolina picks and predictions

Prediction

North Carolina 27, James Madison 17

Moneyline

PASS.

There’s no real value here. The Tar Heels should come out on top and have done so in every game this season. However, they are too expensive to play to win outright.

Against the spread

BET JAMES MADISON +10.5 (-110).

North Carolina hasn’t covered large spreads this season, and that’s concerning. It won by 18 and 35, respectively closing as a 21-point and 38-point favorite. The Tar Heels don’t have a lot of consistency at quarterback with both their top options having a sub-63% completion percentage.

North Carolina is 0-2 ATS as a favorite of 10 or more. James Madison didn’t cover as a massive favorite in Week 2, but it did blow out Charlotte when it was only a 6.5-point favorite. Expect it to keep this within single digits. Take JAMES MADISON +10.5 (-110).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Over/Under

BET UNDER 48.5 (-110).

James Madison has gone Under in both games this season and has allowed a total of 13 points between those 2 games. It has held both its opponents this season to under 200 passing yards, so North Carolina may not be able to move the ball down the field frequently.

UNC has scored at will but has yet to allow more than 20 in a game. It went Under the 52.5-point total in its lone game as a favorite of less than 20. Expect a hard-fought and close battle. Take UNDER 48.5 (-110).

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire / High School

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]