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One of the top quarterbacks in college football will be on display when Garrett Shrader and the Syracuse Orange (4-1) visit the North Carolina Tar Heels (4-0) on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
The Tar Heels are expected to win by at least a touchdown (currently -8.5) versus the Orange. The over/under for this game is 58 points.
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Game Info for North Carolina vs. Syracuse
- Game Day: Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Stadium: Kenan Memorial Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | -8.5 | -110 | -110 | 58 | -108 | -112 | -354 | +277 |
North Carolina Pick Insights
- North Carolina is 3-1-0 ATS this season.
- North Carolina has not yet covered the spread as favorites of 8.5 points or more this season (0-1).
- North Carolina has hit the over in two of four games with a set total (50%).
North Carolina Stats & Insights
- On the offensive side of the ball, North Carolina has been a top-25 unit, ranking 23rd-best in the FBS by putting up 464 yards per game. The defense ranks 63rd (363 yards allowed per game).
- North Carolina ranks 32nd in scoring offense (35.8 points per game) and 45th in scoring defense (22 points allowed per game) this season.
- North Carolina owns the 83rd-ranked defense this year in terms of passing yards (238.8 allowed per game), and has been better on the other side of the ball, ranking 20th-best with 296.8 passing yards per game.
- North Carolina ranks 55th in run offense (167.3 rushing yards per game) and 52nd in run defense (124.3 rushing yards allowed per game) this year.
- North Carolina sports the 51st-ranked defense this season in terms of third-down efficiency (35.8% third-down conversion rate allowed), and has been better on offense, ranking second-best with a 57.9% third-down percentage.
- With five forced turnovers (97th in the FBS) against four turnovers committed (18th in the FBS), North Carolina (+1) has the 46th-ranked turnover margin in college football.
North Carolina’s Best Players
- Drake Maye has recorded 1,187 yards (296.8 ypg) on 96-of-132 passing with five touchdowns compared to four interceptions this season. In addition, he’s added 119 rushing yards (29.8 ypg) on 38 carries while scoring three touchdowns on the ground.
- The team’s top rusher, Omarion Hampton, has carried the ball 73 times for 383 yards (95.8 per game), scoring seven times.
- British Brooks has racked up 140 yards on 34 attempts, scoring one time.
- J.J. Jones’ leads his squad with 296 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 16 catches (out of 21 targets).
- Nate McCollum has put together a 220-yard season so far with one touchdown, hauling in 21 passes on 26 targets.
- Kobe Paysour has a total of 182 receiving yards so far this year, hauling in 19 throws and scoring two touchdowns.
- Kaimon Rucker has four sacks to lead the team, and also has seven TFL and 17 tackles.
- Power Echols is the team’s tackle leader this year. He’s amassed 33 tackles, one TFL, and one interception.
- Alijah Huzzie has a team-leading two interceptions to go along with 16 tackles, one TFL, and two passes defended.
Syracuse Betting Insights
- Syracuse is 2-1-1 against the spread this season.
- None of Syracuse’s four games with a set total this year have hit the over.
Syracuse Pick Insights
- Syracuse has been productive on both offense and defense this season, ranking 24th-best in total offense (463.4 total yards per game) and 18th-best in total defense (297.2 total yards allowed per game).
- Syracuse has been a top-25 unit on both offense and defense this season, as it ranks 18th-best in points per game (38.2) and 18th-best in points surrendered per game (14.8).
- In terms of passing, Syracuse ranks 38th in the FBS (272.8 passing yards per game) and 38th defensively (200.8 passing yards allowed per contest).
- Syracuse ranks 36th in the FBS with 190.6 rushing yards per contest, but it has been led by its defense, which ranks 22nd-best by surrendering just 96.4 rushing yards per game.
- Syracuse’s third-down offense has been paving the way for the team, as it ranks 10th-best in the FBS with a 51.4% third-down conversion percentage. In terms of defense, it is surrendering a 35.8% third-down rate, which ranks 51st.
- Syracuse has fared really well in terms of turnovers, as its turnover margin of +3 ranks 25th-best in the FBS, with 11 forced turnovers (eighth in the nation) and eight turnovers committed (83rd in the nation).
Syracuse’s Best Players
- Shrader has been a dual threat for Syracuse this season. He has 1,153 passing yards (230.6 per game) while completing 63.5% of his passes. He’s thrown eight touchdown passes and four interceptions this season. On the ground, he’s compiled 340 yards (68 ypg) on 61 carries with six rushing touchdowns.
- LeQuint Allen has rushed for 363 yards on 75 carries so far this year while scoring six times on the ground. He’s also added 17 catches, totaling 133 yards and one touchdown through the air.
- Damien Alford’s 282 receiving yards (56.4 yards per game) lead the team. He has 18 catches on 28 targets with one touchdown.
- Donovan Brown has caught 19 passes and compiled 273 receiving yards (54.6 per game) with one touchdown.
- Umari Hatcher’s 13 grabs (on 29 targets) have netted him 225 yards (45 ypg) and two touchdowns.
- Leon Lowery has collected 2.5 sacks to lead the team, while also recording three TFL and 12 tackles.
- Marlowe Wax, Syracuse’s leading tackler, has 29 tackles, three TFL, and two sacks this year.
- Justin Barron has picked off a team-high two passes. He also has 23 tackles, one TFL, and two passes defended to his name.
