The North Carolina Tar Heels aim to end a three-game straight-up losing streak on Saturday when they host the Louisville Cardinals in a clash of ACC rivals at Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels are winless SU in two games as home chalk but face a Louisville squad that has failed to cover in five straight outings.
The Tar Heels came out flat in their season opener, falling 35-30 to California as 13-point home favorites to slip to 2-3 SU in their past five home dates. North Carolina has also tallied just one outright victory in seven dates as a home underdog dating back to 2007, and is on a meagre 3-19 run while pegged as an underdog of eight or more points.
The Cardinals ended a three-game SU losing slide with last weekend’s 35-28 win over Purdue, but failed to cover as heavy 25.5-point road chalk in their eighth loss against the spread in their past 10 overall.
Louisville has produced mixed results as a road favorite against conference rivals, going 4-2 SU and 2-4 ATS over its past six. The Cardinals are 1-1 SU in their past two visits to Chapel Hill, but have covered in four straight meetings with the Tar Heels.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the North Carolina Tar Heels in this one found them as 6-point underdogs at Sportsbook. The OVER/UNDER number was slated to open a short time later.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and analytics picked a 37-29 win for the Cardinals. That value could change during the week, if injuries or other factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Louisville Cardinals vs North Carolina Tar Heels Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The North Carolina Tar Heels sit at 0-1 (0-1 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Louisville Cardinals are currently 1-0 (0-1 ATS). Looking to bet on the totals? North Carolina is 1-0 OU, and Louisville is 0-1 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and North Carolina vs Louisville injuries news.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 44-rated North Carolina Tar Heels and the No. 26-ranked Louisville Cardinals, according to the NCAA College Football Power Rankings here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the North Carolina Tar Heels' No. 74-ranked offense (30 PPG) against a Louisville Cardinals defense that ranks No. 83 at 28 PPG. The North Carolina Tar Heels passing attack has averaged 221 yards per game, less than the Louisville Cardinals give up through the air (293 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Louisville Cardinals own the league's No. 5-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 51 yards per game when on the road. North Carolina, on the other hand, rates No. 39 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Lamar Jackson led the way last time out for the Cardinals, connecting for 378 passing yards and a 35-28 victory over the Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Tar Heels suffered a Week 1 loss against California in their last game, falling 35-30 at Kenan Stadium.
Next Betting Matchups
Louisville home to Clemson, Saturday, September 16
North Carolina at Old Dominion, Saturday, September 16