North Carolina at Miami NCAAF Spread & Game Info for Week 9

The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes have been playing with fire for their past three wins. They shouldn’t have much issue in the NCAAF spread on Saturday in ACC action at a really struggling North Carolina as the Heels are nearly three-TD betting underdogs. That’s if the Hurricanes don’t look ahead to a very big game next week vs. No. 13 Virginia Tech.

North Carolina at Miami NCAAF Spread & Game Info for Week 9

When: Saturday, October 28th, Noon ET Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill TV: ESPN2 Stream: WatchESPN Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network (North Carolina) / 560 WQAM (Miami) Opening NCAAF Spread: Miami -20.5 (50.5)

Weather Forecast

• Mostly Cloudy: 18^°C/64^°F
• Humidity: 65%
• Precipitation: 15%
• Wind: 5 mph SE
• Cloud Cover: 76%
• Type of Stadium: Open

Last Meeting

North Carolina won at No. 16 Miami last year 20-13 but those Tar Heels – led by current Bears QB Mitch Trubisky – were miles better than this one. Trubisky threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns for North Carolina, while Bug Howard had 10 catches for 156 yards. Mark Walton rushed for 82 yards and Joe Yearby ran for 74 more and a touchdown for Miami. Canes QB Brad Kaaya, now with the Lions, wasn’t all that sharp. North Carolina converted 14 of its 23 third-down opportunities.

College Football Week 9 Betting Odds & Top ATS Picks

Series History

• Total Meetings: 18
• First Meeting: October 4th, 1946. Miami, Florida
• Last Meeting: October 15th, 2016. Miami Gardens, Florida
• All-Time Series: Tied at 9
• Largest Margin of Victory: North Carolina 59-21 (2015)
• Longest Win Streak: Tied at 3
• Current Win Streak: North Carolina 2 (2015-2016)

Why Bet on Miami’s NCAAF Spread?

The Hurricanes (6-0) beat Syracuse 27-19 last week, their 11^th straight win dating to last year. In the first half, the Orange threw four interceptions and it appeared as if the rout would be on. Miami managed to turn those four interceptions into just 10 points, and allowed the Orange to stay in the game until the final minute. It marked the first time Miami has recorded four interceptions in a game since a matchup with Savannah State in 2013. Miami’s four forced turnovers were the most since forcing four at Virginia in last year’s trip to Charlottesville. Malik Rosier had an impressive performance, finishing 26-for-43 for 344 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. He has thrown at least one touchdown in every start of his career and multiple touchdowns in six of seven career starts. Travis Homer finished the game with 95 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. Is Miami overrated, though? The Hurricanes have beaten zero teams currently ranked and just one Power 5 team with a winning record (Georgia Tech) this year. Right guard Navaughn Donaldson, who started Miami’s first four games before injuring his ankle against Florida State on Oct. 7 was working with Miami’s offensive linemen Tuesday during the media viewing portion of practice and could return this week.  Cornerback Dee Delaney, who was also injured against Florida State, still wasn’t practicing and continues to wear a brace on his knee.

Team Statistics

Offense:

• Average Score For: 33.33
• Total Yards: 474
• Pass Yards: 288.50
• Rush Yards: 185.50

Defense:

• Average Score Against: 18.67
• Total Yards: 369
• Pass Yards: 188.67
• Rush Yards: 180.33

Why Bet On North Carolina’s NCAAF Spread?

This was expected to be a rebuilding year for the Heels, but 1-7? They were bombed 59-7 last week by Virginia Tech. UNC’s defense, which had indeed shown improvement in recent weeks, held the Hokies scoreless on their first three possessions. When the Hokies lined up for their fourth offensive series, though, they already led by two touchdowns. The first of those was a 12-yard fumble return for a touchdown on defense. The second was a 91-yard punt return.  The 35-0 halftime margin was UNC’s largest halftime deficit since it trailed Clemson by the same score in 2006. The Tar Heels have lost 10 consecutive games against major-conference opponents. The defeat on Saturday was UNC’s most lopsided under coach Larry Fedora. An unprecedented barrage of injuries has sidelined for the year 10 players who have or potentially might have started and a handful more starters and key reserves that have missed one or more games. Carolina traveled to Blacksburg with only three defensive tackles. Already the 2017 season was destined to be a rebuilding year with the loss of 13 starters to graduation, two more to early NFL departures and one tailback and one defensive tackle who transferred out last winter. North Carolina only got into Virginia Tech territory three times, turned the ball over three times, and finished with just 172 yards. They played three quarterbacks — Chazz Surratt, Brandon Harris and Nathan Elliott — and none were effective. Their three turnovers led to 21 Virginia Tech points. Of 129 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision statistical rankings, the Tar Heels are No. 126 in third-down conversions, 101 in completion percentage, 114 in most passes had intercepted, 113 total offense and 107 scoring offense.

Team Statistics

Offense:

• Average Score For: 21.62
• Total Yards: 333.74
• Pass Yards: 200.62
• Rush Yards: 133.12

Defense:

• Average Score Against: 34.62
• Total Yards: 451.13
• Pass Yards: 227.75
• Rush Yards: 223.38

Betting Trends

• Hurricanes are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 games
• Hurricanes are 5-0 SU in the last 5 games
• The total went UNDER in 6 of Miami-FL’s last 7 games
• Tar Heels are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 games
• Tar Heels are 0-5 SU in the last 5 games
• The total went UNDER in 4 of North Carolina’s last 5 games

Game Trends & Expert Prediction

Miami will win this game, but it won’t be by more than 20. Take the Heels in the NCAAF spread.