North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) looks to pass in the first quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The North Carolina Tar Heels (2-5, 0-3 ACC) and Syracuse Orange (3-5, 1-4) meet Saturday at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA football odds around the North Carolina vs. Syracuse odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.

North Carolina’s struggles continued lSaturday, losing 17-16 in overtime to the No. 15 Virginia Cavaliers for their fourth straight loss. The Tar Heels, who remain winless in ACC play, covered as 11-point home underdogs as the Under (51.5) hit. QB Gio Lopez threw for 208 yards (1 TD, 2 INTs), adding a rushing score. Despite committing 3 turnovers, UNC nearly pulled off the upset, failing to convert a game-winning 2-point conversion in OT.

Syracuse’s losing streak hit 4 after a 41-16 defeat to the No. 7 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Orange failed to cover as 17-point road underdogs as the Over (52.5) cashed. Syracuse’s defense was overwhelmed, giving up 543 total yards. QB Rickie Collins threw for 224 yards and a TD, connecting with WR Darrell Gill Jr., who finished with 79 receiving yards.

These teams last met on Oct. 7, 2023, in Chapel Hill, where North Carolina rolled past Syracuse 40-7. The Tar Heels easily covered as 9.5-point home favorites as the Under (59.5) hit. UNC leads the all-time series 4-3.

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

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North Carolina at Syracuse odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:18 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): North Carolina +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Syracuse -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): North Carolina +2.5 (-110) | Syracuse -2.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

North Carolina at Syracuse picks and predictions

Prediction

North Carolina 21, Syracuse 13

Moneyline

PASS.

There's nothing wrong taking North Carolina (+115) on the moneyline, but I feel more comfortable getting the points.

Against the spread

BET NORTH CAROLINA +2.5 (-110).

The Tar Heels may be 2-5, but they’ve been scrappy — especially on defense, where they’re holding teams under 5 yards per play and just 110 rushing yards per game. That’s bad news for a Syracuse offense that’s completely fallen apart since losing QB Steve Angeli. His replacement, Collins, has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, and the Orange have dropped 4 straight by double digits.

UNC’s defense has enough up front, led by LB Andrew Simpson and DL Melkart Abou-Jaoude, to force Collins into uncomfortable passing downs. Meanwhile, the Orange offense hasn’t topped 20 points since September and ranks near the bottom of the ACC in yards per play.

If Lopez can limit turnovers and sustain a few drives — easier said than done, but doable against a Syracuse defense giving up over 31 points per game — the Tar Heels have the edge. They don’t need a shootout, just a clean game. Given Syracuse’s -7 turnover margin and lack of rhythm on offense, I like North Carolina to grind out a road win — or at least keep this one within a field goal. Take the points.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 45.5 (-110).

The last 2 meetings both finished below the total, and both teams have trended that way lately — the Tar Heels are Under in 5 of their last 6, and the Orange in 3 of their last 4. Expect another low-scoring matchup.

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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: North Carolina Tar Heels at Syracuse Orange odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Drew Phelps, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

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