NCAA Football Previews – North Carolina Tar Heels vs Virginia Tech Hokies
The North Carolina Tar Heels will look to derail the Virginia Tech Hokies’ ACC title chances when the two Coastal Division foes clash this Thursday night in Blacksburg. Kick-off is slated for 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
Date/Time: Thursday, November 17 8 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg,VA.
Broadcast: ESPN
Tar Heels at Hokies lines by BetOnline.com
Point spread: Hokies-10.5
Over/Under: OFF
North Carolina’s season has take a serious turn for the worse with three losses in its last four games including a 13-0 shutout at the hands of its rival North Carolina State as a 3.5-point road favorite on Nov. 5. It is now 6-4 straight-up (4-6 against the spread) overall, but just 2-4 SU in conference play. The total has been evenly split at 5-5 in its 10 games this season.
The Tar Heels have fallen apart on both sides of the ball during this four-game stretch. They have only managed an average of 27.8 points a game, while giving-up an average of 31.5. The defense was torched for 30 points in a loss to Miami and 59 points in a loss to Clemson.
Virginia Tech’s 37-26 victory over Georgia Tech last Thursday night as a two-point road favorite puts it in excellent shape to win the Coastal Division at 5-1 SU in the ACC. It is now 9-1 SU overall but just 3-7 ATS. The total went ‘over’ the 49.5-point line against the Bulldogs, but has stayed ‘under’ in six of its previous nine games. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Hokies are not one of the most dynamic teams in college football, but they continue to do a great job of running the ball and keeping their opponents out of the end zone. Running back David Wilson has already racked-up 1,360 yards on the ground and Virginia Tech’s defense is holding teams to an average of just 16.5 points a game.
The Tar Heels are 2-4 ATS in their last six games on the road and the total has been evenly split at 3-3 in their last six road games.
The Hokies are 1-5 ATS in their last five home games and the total has stayed ‘under’ in six of their last nine games at home.
Head-to-head, North Carolina has lost six of the last seven games SU and is 2-4 ATS in the last six. The total has stayed ‘under’ in six of the last seven meetings. Given Virginia Tech’s troubles covering against the spread this season, stick with the Tar Heels to keep this one close enough to cover with the 10.5 points on the road.
The Pick: Virginia Tech 24 North Carolina 14
