Losing their starting quarterback has thrown Syracuse’s season off course. The Orange have struggled since — but not in a “fire the program and hire a former NFL legend with a 24-year-old girlfriend” kind of way.
That’s exactly the situation they face as Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels come to the JMA Wireless Dome. Oddsmakers seem impressed with North Carolina’s recent play, listing them as just 2.5-point underdogs.
However, my North Carolina vs. Syracuse predictions aren’t buying the hype. I’m siding with the team led by the coach who actually understands the college game in my college football picks this Friday, October 31.
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North Carolina vs Syracuse prediction
North Carolina vs Syracuse best bet: Syracuse -2.5 (-106)
Some will say that Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Tar Heels have shown some fight in the last couple of games. But let’s not go crazy just yet.
Belichick’s squad is on a four-game losing streak, still searching for its first win over a Power 4 team this season. But close losses at Cal and a near-upset of Virginia last week have some wondering if the Tar Heels are starting to buy what Belichick is selling.
However, this team is still plagued with problems, the biggest of which is the offense. The Tar Heels haven’t put QB Gio Lopez in the best position to succeed and, as a result, North Carolina ranks 127th in EPA per play and 124th in offensive success rate.
They have averaged just 13.4 points per game vs. Power 4 opponents and haven’t scored more than 18 points in those five matchups.
Yes, the Syracuse Orange have struggled since starting QB Steve Angeli went down with an ankle injury, losing four in a row since the win over Clemson. Now, I’ll give them a little leeway because they have played four of the top teams in the conference over that stretch.
But the one thing I can’t get past in this game is the coaching matchup.
One team has a guy who is trying to build something at a traditional basketball school. The other has Bill Belichick.
Yes, the Tar Heels have shown some fight recently, but I have more confidence in Fran Brown to have his team prepared for this matchup. Expect him to try someone new at QB this week, as well. The JMA Wireless Dome should be rocking, and I like the better-coached team to win and cover this ACC matchup.
North Carolina vs Syracuse same-game parlay
Wide receivers go wild in this SGP.
Whoever is throwing the football for Syracuse should lean on Johntay Cook. The Orange wideout has been impressive all season long, hauling in 37 catches for 456 yards and two touchdowns. But the impressive thing is he's continued that play even when Angeli got hurt, catching 21 of 29 targets for 267 yards over the last four games.
North Carolina ranks 112th in EPA per dropback this season, so Cook will (sorry) cook in this one. He'll go Over his reasonable receiving prop of 54.5 for the fourth time in five games.
But he won't be the only wideout to shine here. UNC's Jordan Shipp has been one of the few bright spots on this Tar Heels offense. He’s got 22 catches for 253 yards and two scores this season, and he gets a solid matchup against a Syracuse secondary that ranks 90th in EPA per dropback.
North Carolina vs Syracuse SGP
- Syracuse -2.5
- Johntay Cook Over 54.5 receiving yards
- Jordan Shipley Over 50.5 receiving yards
Our deep-ball SGP: Under Pressure
Just because a couple of wideouts could rack up some yards, it doesn't mean they're going to find the end zone. And it's not like these are huge numbers. These offenses have struggled, and that will continue.
North Carolina vs Syracuse SGP
- Syracuse -2.5
- Johntay Cook Over 54.5 receiving yards
- Jordan Shipley Over 50.5 receiving yards
- Under 45.5
North Carolina vs Syracuse game predictions
North Carolina vs Syracuse moneyline prediction
I know Syracuse has been struggling without Angeli, but I am more confident in Fran Brown’s ability to prepare his team to play a college football game than I am in Belichick's. Brown has also said he could shake things up at QB this week. Additionally, the North Carolina offense continues to struggle. Combine that with the Orange playing at home, and I like them to come away with the win.
North Carolina vs Syracuse spread prediction
Since I’m taking Syracuse to win, it shouldn’t come as a shock that I’m backing them to cover this short spread. The Orange defense will cause enough problems for the struggling Gio Lopez and the North Carolina offense to win by at least a field goal.
North Carolina vs Syracuse Over/Under prediction
Under, under, under. Did I say Under? North Carolina has one of the worst offenses in the country, while Syracuse has struggled to score since Angeli went down with an injury a month ago. Both defenses can play a bit, so points should be hard to come by.
North Carolina vs Syracuse odds
- Spread: North Carolina +2.5 | Syracuse -2.5
- Moneyline: North Carolina +112 | Syracuse -132
- Over/Under: Over 45.5 | Under 45.5
North Carolina vs Syracuse trend to know
The Under is 5-1 in North Carolina's last six games overall and 3-1 in Syracuse's last four. Find more college football betting trends for North Carolina vs Syracuse.
How to watch North Carolina vs Syracuse
| Location | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY |
| Date | Friday, October 31, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
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