Rock Westfall

October 28th 2025 - 5 Min Read

North Carolina at Syracuse Odds & Picks | College Football

On February 3, 2019, Bill Belichick reached the pinnacle of his head coaching career. Belichick led his New England Patriots to a sixth Super Bowl championship.

At that point, most historians ranked him as the GOAT of NFL coaches, surpassing even Vince Lombardi, whose name is the title of the Super Bowl championship trophy.

Since that night of glory, Belichick has been in a rapid decline. Karma is catching up to the Hoodie, who was known to mistreat too many individuals along the way.

Patriots’ owner Bob Kraft unceremoniously fired Belichick after the 2023 season. Kraft was tired of the Hood Man’s antics and disrespect, not to mention the team's collapse and the separation from Tom Brady.

Hence, Kraft reportedly spread word to NFL owners that he should be blackballed for future job opportunities.

When the North Carolina Tar Heels hired Belichick, he was celebrated as a savior. Now, in less than a year, he is a laughingstock.

North Carolina will visit Syracuse on Friday night with the Orange favored in college football odds.

On February 3, 2019, Bill Belichick reached the pinnacle of his head coaching career. Belichick led his New England Patriots to a sixth Super Bowl championship.

At that point, most historians ranked him as the GOAT of NFL coaches, surpassing even Vince Lombardi, whose name is the title of the Super Bowl championship trophy.

Since that night of glory, Belichick has been in a rapid decline. Karma is catching up to the Hoodie, who was known to mistreat too many individuals along the way.

Hence, Kraft reportedly spread word to NFL owners that he should be blackballed for future job opportunities.

When the North Carolina Tar Heels hired Belichick, he was celebrated as a savior. Now, in less than a year, he is a laughingstock.

North Carolina will visit Syracuse on Friday night with the Orange favored in college football odds.

North Carolina at Syracuse Preview

On Friday, October 31, 2025, the Syracuse Orange will host the North Carolina Tar Heels at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY. The kickoff time is 7:30 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ESPN.

Public Betting Odds Factors

Neither North Carolina nor Syracuse has any credibility with the college football betting public.

Both teams were touted for greatness, only to flop miserably.

Gamblers are feeling burned badly by Bill Belichick.

Due to the terrible North Carolina season, they are not a highly regarded brand on the college football board.

Syracuse has annoyed gamblers, though not to the extent that North Carolina has.

Still, North Carolina and Belichick were touted far more, thus there is much more negative intensity against the Tar Heels.

North Carolina at Syracuse Predictions

Handicapping Factors to Consider

In this situation, gamblers have two unappealing choices.

Syracuse is no longer able to ambush opponents.

North Carolina has a roster that is nearly 100% flipped.

Syracuse appears to be a team that was admiring its headlines after 2024.

Of those two options, North Carolina makes the most sense, getting the road team price.

North Carolina at Syracuse Prime Best Bet: North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina at Syracuse Betting Tips

Syracuse opened as a 1.5-point favorite and a -120 moneyline chalk.

North Carolina opened as a 1.5-point dog and a +100 moneyline dog.

The Tar Heels and Orange opened with a total of 48.5.

North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina ranks 134^th for total offense, 121^st for passing, 124^th for rushing, 123^rd for scoring, and 64^th for fewest turnovers committed.

In comparison, North Carolina ranks 61^st for total defense, 97^th vs. the pass, 35^th vs rush, 76^th for fewest points allowed, and 89^th for takeaways.

Last game, the North Carolina Tar Heels lost 17-16 in overtime against the Virginia Cavaliers as 11.5-point home dogs. The game went under the total of 51.5.

North Carolina is 2-5 straight up, 4-3 against the spread, and 2-5 over/under the total.

Syracuse Orange

Overall, Syracuse ranks 101st for total offense, 40^th for passing, 130^th for rushing, 85^th for scoring, and 128^th for fewest turnovers committed.

Syracuse ranks 73^rd for total defense, 93^rd vs. the pass, 53^rd vs rush, 115^th for fewest points allowed, and 72^nd for takeaways.

Last game, the Syracuse Orange lost 41-18 against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets as 17-point road dogs. The game went over the total of 52.5.

Syracuse is 3-5 straight up, 3-4-1 against the spread, and 4-4 over/under the total.

North Carolina at Syracuse Head-to-Head and Key Stats

North Carolina is a weak betting value on the road.

North Carolina covered only four of its most recent 11 away matchups.

Only one of the last eight Tar Heel road games went under the total.

Similarly, Syracuse has struggled at home.

The Orange paid out in only three of its previous nine home games.

Syracuse went under the total in six of its last ten home matchups.

In the series between North Carolina and Syracuse, the Tar Heels covered the three most recent meetings.

Also, two of those three games went under the total.

Specifically at Syracuse, North Carolina got the cash in its two most recent visits.

Both games went over the college football odds.

On Friday, October 31, 2025, the Syracuse Orange will host the North Carolina Tar Heels at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY. The kickoff time is 7:30 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ESPN.