The North Carolina Tar Heels and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets meet Saturday in week 9 college football action at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
The North Carolina Tar Heels look for their second road win to improve to 7-1 on the year. North Carolina has won 7 straight road games. Drake Maye is completing 65.4 percent of his passes for 2,249 yards, 14 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. J.J. Jones and Nate McCollum have combined for 802 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Devontez Walker has 23 receptions. The North Carolina Tar Heels ground game is averaging 178.4 yards per contest, and Omarion Hampton leads the way with 770 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, North Carolina is allowing 22.4 points and 370.1 yards per game. Cedric Gray leads the North Carolina Tar Heels with 70 tackles, Kaimon Rucker has 7.5 sacks and Alijah Huzzie has 3 interceptions.
North Carolina Tar Heels Team Facts
- North Carolina has won each of its last five road games against conference opponents.
- North Carolina has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five October games as a road favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- North Carolina has won the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
- Three of North Carolina’s last four road games in October have gone OVER the total points line.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets look for their second home win to get back to a .500 record. Georgia Tech has lost 6 of its last 9 home games. Haynes King is completing 59.6 percent of his passes for 1,835 yards, 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Eric Singleton Jr. and Malik Rutherford have combined for 688 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Dominick Blaylock has 16 receptions. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ground game is averaging 169.1 yards per contest, and Jamal Haynes leads the way with 465 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Georgia Tech is allowing 30.3 points and 450.7 yards per game. Clayton Powell-Lee leads the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets with 37 tackles, Kyle Kennard has 4 sacks and Jaylon King has 2 interceptions.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Team Facts
- Georgia Tech has lost each of its last eight games against AP-ranked teams at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.
- The underdog has covered the spread in each of Georgia Tech’s last six games at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.
- Georgia Tech has lost the first half in seven of its last eight games against conference opponents at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.
- Each of Georgia Tech’s last five home games have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- North Carolina rank 18th among FBS teams for points per game this season (35.9).
Randy’s Pick
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are a rough defensive team that’s 125th in total defense and 104th in scoring defense, and not much has changed for them at home. Georgia Tech just allowed 38 points at home last week to Boston College. Not ideal when facing a UNC offense that’s fifth in total offense and 18th in scoring offense. North Carolina should have a field day on the offensive side, and it’s why I’m going to lay the double-digit chalk.
