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The Miami Hurricanes (4-1, 0-1 ACC) hit the road to battle the North Carolina Tar Heels (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday. Kickoff at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill is at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Miami vs. North Carolina odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes are coming off their 1st loss of the season, where they literally fumbled the game away in the final minute 23-20 against Georgia Tech as a -1600 favorite. It will be interesting to see how Miami responds after turning the ball over 5 times against the Yellow Jackets. Although the Hurricanes offense has run the ball well, they will lean on QB Tyler Van Dyke to exploit the Tar Heels defense through the air.
The Tar Heels are coming off a 40-7 blowout of Syracuse last week as 9.5-point favorites. QB Drake Maye threw for 442 yards and 3 TDs to insert himself into the Heisman conversation. WR Devontez Walker, who transferred from Kent State, was back last week and appears to have been implemented into the offense just fine with 6 receptions.
Miami is No. 25 and North Carolina No.12 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
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Miami at North Carolina odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:48 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Miami +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | North Carolina -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Miami +3.5 (-115) | North Carolina -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Miami at North Carolina picks and predictions
Prediction
Miami 47, North Carolina 35
Moneyline
SLAM THE U (+140).
While North Carolina is predicted to win this game by just over a field goal, these teams are very similar. The Canes will look to take advantage of a Tar Heels defense that hasn’t seen an offense like Miami’s all season. There’s simply great value in Miami as underdogs coming off the heart-wrenching defeat. Van Dyke has 12 passing TDs to Maye’s 8, and has completed nearly 73% of his passes. The U has won 4 of their last 5 away games and that trend can easily continue if their stars play like stars Saturday night.
Against the spread
BET MIAMI +3.5 (-115).
Although North Carolina has won 4 straight in this ACC rivalry, I just don’t see Miami having consecutive underwhelming performances. This defense is too talented led by DB Kamren Kinchens, DB James Williams and DL Jahfari Harvey. They’ll be hungry to prove last week was a fluke as they beat themselves, and one, if not multiple members of this trio, will force a turnover. I’m not entirely sure this one will even be close, as the hungry Canes pick up coach Cristobal.
Over/Under
POUND OVER 57.5 (-110).
Expect this game to be high scoring, with 2 of the ACC’s top QBs. With Maye coming off arguably the best game of his career, points shouldn’t be a problem with their new-look offense.
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