The No. 17 University of North Carolina Tar Heels (7-1, 4-0 ACC) are on the road to take on the University of Virginia Cavaliers (3-5, 1-4 ACC) at David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits the Atlantic Coast Conference’s most potent passing offense against one of its toughest aerial defenses.
The Tar Heels are 7.5-point favorites, and the total is 59.5. North Carolina is coming off an impressive 42-24 win over No. 24 Pittsburgh at Kenan Memorial Stadium last Saturday, their fourth straight victory. Drake Maye was 34 of 44 for 388 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran 14 times for 61 yards. Antoine Green caught 10 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns.
Virginia lost 14-12 to No. 25 Miami (FL) at David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium last Saturday. Brennan Armstrong threw for 208 yards. He added 67 yards on the ground. Mike Hollins caught one reception for 64 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Tar Heels won the only game between the teams last season, a 59-39 victory in September. Sam Howell threw five touchdowns for North Carolina, as Ty Chandler added two TDs and Josh Downs scored twice. Brennan Armstrong tossed four touchdowns for Virginia.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Tar Heels are averaging 41.8 points per game for the season, sixth in FBS, and they are facing a Cavaliers defense that has surrendered 21.5 PPG (30th). Meanwhile, Virginia has scored 16.9 points a game this season, 123rd in the nation, and North Carolina is allowing 31.4 PPG (110th).The Tar Heels rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (334.4, 6th), while they are 56th in rushing yards (167.6).
The Cavaliers are 25th in passing yards allowed per game (192.9) and 73rd against the run (147.6).Virginia is 78th in the country in passing yards per game (228.3) and 90th in rushing (131.6). North Carolina’s defense has been most vulnerable through the air, as the Tar Heels are 122nd in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (283.3). Against the run, the Tar Heels are 103rd (179.4).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through eight games, Drake Maye has thrown for 29 touchdowns (3 INT) and 333.9 yards per game to lead North Carolina in passing. In four away games this season, he has 11 TDs (3 INT) and an average of 331.2 yards passing.
Drake Maye also leads the team in rushing with an average of 54.9 yards per game. He has three touchdowns on the ground. Antoine Green is the Tar Heels’ leading receiver with 112.8 yards a game and six TDs.
Brennan Armstrong has six passing touchdowns (9 INT) with 228.2 yards per game through eight games to lead Virginia. In four home games this season, he has thrown for three TDs (3 INT) and an average of 262.8 yards.
Perris Jones has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 45.6 yards a game through eight games. He has four total touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving. Keytaon Thompson has been the primary target in the Cavaliers’ aerial attack, averaging 72.4 yards per game through eight appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
North Carolina is looking to remain undefeated away from home this season.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
North Carolina (-300)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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