Free NCAA Football Prediction: Owls vs. Cougars Odds
Looking for Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. North Carolina Tar Heels free picks? College football betting sees the Fighting Irish taking on the Tar Heels on Saturday, September 24th at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 4 predictions like this ND-UNC free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 4
(1-2) Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-0)
Date: Saturday, September 24th, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: ND +1.5 | UNC -1.5 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Fighting Irish +105 | Tar Heels -125
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 55.5
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will travel to Chapel Hill and take on the North Carolina Tar Heels from Kenan Stadium this Saturday on ABC. UNC will come into this one as the one-point favorites, with the total opening at 55.5
HISTORY: Notre Dame and North Carolina have crossed paths 21 times, with the Fighting Irish holding a dominate 20-1 series lead. ND has picked up wins over UNC in each of the past two seasons.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Marcus Freeman’s first game at the helm in South Bend didn’t go well at all. After playing his alma mater, Ohio State, extremely well in the opener, Freeman’s Fighting Irish suffered one of the worst losses in school history, losing to Marshall at home. ND almost doubled down in South Bend last Saturday, but luck was on the side of the Irish.
Last week, Notre Dame avoided disaster by defeating Cal at home, 26-21, dropping to 1-2 against the spread this season.
Quarterback play has been an issue early for Notre Dame. Tyler Buchner brings the dual-threat element to the position, but he hasn’t been able to pass the ball effectively, and it’s going to hinder the Irish until it improves. Drew Pyne was serviceable in the win over Cal, completing 74% of his passes, while throwing for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
There’s talent in the backfield with veteran Chris Tyree and Audric Estime, and they finally got things going against the Golden Bears last weekend. Estime totaled 119 yards (76 rush, 43 rec) and he scored on the ground, while Tyree racked up 118 yards (64 rush, 44 rec) and caught a touchdown pass.
Tight End U has another one with Michael Mayer. The junior tight end is on-pace to lead the Fighting Irish again after being one of the lone bright spots over the first two weeks. Mayer caught five passes in the opener against Ohio State, and he brought eight receptions for 103 yards in the loss to Marshall, including a 30-yard touchdown.
North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina is off to a good 3-0 start despite scares from a pair of Sun Belt schools. The Tar Heels took down Florida A&M in their home opener, and then nearly had any playoff aspirations ended with a trip to Boone. UNC avoided disaster after allowing 40 fourth quarter points, and took down App State in a shootout, 63-61. Mack Brown’s bunch dodged another bullet last Saturday after trailing at halftime.
Last weekend, North Carolina defeated Georgia State in Atlanta, 35-28, dropping to 0-3 ATS this season.
Drake Maye has provided a seamless transition at the QB spot for UNC. The redshirt freshman has jumped out to a terrific start, leading the ACC in passing percentage, yards, and touchdowns early. The Notre Dame defense will present the toughest test he’s face thus far, but the UNC faithful may be in another show.
Maye has thrown for 930 passing yards, with 11 touchdowns to one interception, while adding 146 rushing yards and a score on the ground through the first three games of the season.
Omarion Hampton leads the backfield for the Tar Heels. The redshirt freshman has jumped out to a strong start, rushing for 100 yards and two touchdowns in two of his first three games. This will mark his first taste of ACC play as well, so look for veteran back D.J. Jones to have a role as well.
Maye has spread the ball out well early, with six pass catchers already surpassing the 100-yard mark. Kobe Paysour has become his favorite target early, leading UNC in catches (14) and yards (172). Tight ends Kamari Morales and Bryson Nesbit have each caught a pair of touchdowns.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- ND are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- UNC are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Fighting Irish are 4-4 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Tar Heels are 5-3 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Free Week 4 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
It could be a rocky season for Notre Dame, and this two-game road trip could not have come at a more inconvenient time. Before heading to Provo, the Fighting Irish must travel to Chapel Hill and face a Tar Heel bunch that has proved to be explosive early. Drew Pyne might not be able to keep up here, and if it comes down to QB play, Drake Maye is the guy to trust here at home. Look for North Carolina to finally pick up a win over Notre Dame this Saturday.
Take UNC’s generous margin this weekend, as they should overpower an underwhelming Fighting Irish offense.
4* Free Week 4 NCAA Betting Pick: North Carolina -1.5
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