UNC at Miami Free Pick & Lines

Important game in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division on Saturday afternoon as both North Carolina and No. 16 Miami come off conference losses. So the loser of this game is going to be facing a very uphill climb to play in the ACC title game. The Canes are favored in college football lines.

How To Bet to Bet UNC at Miami Free Pick, Lines & TV Info

#UNCFB will go for its eighth straight road win Saturday at Miami. Carolina’s last streak of that length was 10 in a row from 1947-49. pic.twitter.com/bsVjlgpbxM

— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) October 11, 2016

When: Saturday, Oct. 15, 3:30 PM ET
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
TV: ESPN2
Opening NCAA Football Lines: Miami -7 (64)

Why Bet on North Carolina?

The Heels almost surely will play much better than last week’s 34-3 loss to Virginia Tech in hurricane conditions. How much of the loss could be blamed on the nasty conditions, which undoubtedly contributed to UNC’s four turnovers and inept performance on offense? Those turnovers helped Virginia Tech immensely. The length of the Hokies’; six scoring drives: three yards (field goal), 28 yards (field goal), 41 yards (touchdown), 22 yards (touchdown), four yards (touchdown), 29 yards (touchdown). How much of the Tar Heels’ woes could be blamed, simply, on resurgent Virginia Tech?

“You can’t put your defense in that kind of position and expect to win football games,” Coach Larry Fedora said.

The Tar Heels’ three points were their fewest in Fedora’s 58 games at UNC. It was the first time since he became head coach that the Tar Heels had failed to score a touchdown. Their 131 yards of offense – the culmination of a day’s work that included 2.1 yards per play, on average – were their fewest since 1999. And the 31-point margin of defeat was UNC’s widest since November 2008.

For the first time since the beginning of the 2015 season, the Tar Heels do not control their destiny in the Coastal Division. They’ll need help, need Virginia Tech to drop a game or two the rest of the way. Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky is fifth in the nation in completion percentage (70.2), seventh in total completions (146), 12th in total yards (1,769), 14th in pass efficiency rating (160.34), 20th in passing yards per game (294.8) and 21st in TD passes (13).

Carolina and Miami are meeting for the 20th time overall and the 13th consecutive season. The Tar Heels lead the series, 10-9. Last year, QB Marquise Williams accounted for four touchdowns and Ryan Switzer had a 78-yard punt return for a score, leading No. 17 North Carolina’s dominating performance in a 59-21 win.

Why Bet on Miami?

The Hurricanes lost 20-19 at home to Florida State last week. Trailing by seven points with 3:19 to go, the Hurricanes were jump-started late on a 43-yard punt return from junior Braxton Berrios that put Miami at the Florida State 16-yard line. Junior quarterback Brad Kaaya then hit wide receiver Stacy Coley in the end zone on a 4th-and- 5 play with 1:38 left, but Michael Badgley’s extra point attempt was blocked by Florida State’s DeMarcus Walker to maintain the Seminoles’ late lead.

The Hurricanes outscored Florida State 3-0 in the first quarter. Miami has outscored its opponents 45-0 in the first quarter through five games this season. Miami held a 13-3 lead at the half. Miami has never trailed in the first half. Florida State’s touchdown with 3:32 in the third quarter marked the first time the Hurricanes have trailed at any point this season.

Kaaya suffered a shoulder injury in the loss but will play. In addition, Kaaya took an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit from linebacker Matthew Thomas, who was ejected for targeting. That shot, which knocked out one of Kaaya’s molars, was one of several hard hits the junior absorbed.

Head coach Mark Richt will be in search of his 150th career win on Saturday. Richt’s teams own a 34-12 record following a loss throughout his career in the same season. Miami will honor the 15th anniversary of the 2001 National Championship team at halftime.