FBS-CFB Game Preview: North Carolina Tar Heels (2-5) vs. Syracuse Orange (3-5)

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Venue & Game Details

Venue: JMA Wireless Dome, 900 Irving Ave, Syracuse, NY 13244

Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN

Weather Forecast

Conditions: Dome stadium – weather not a factor

Impact: Controlled environment favors passing efficiency

Injury Report

North Carolina:

WR Javarius Green – Questionable (undisclosed)

DB Thaddeus Dixon – Questionable (undisclosed)

Syracuse:

DL Chase Simmons – Questionable

LB Derek McDonald – Questionable

RB Malachi James – Questionable

Key Player Matchups

North Carolina (Offense):

QB Gio Lopez – 805 yards, 4 TD, 5 INT

RB Demon June – 315 yards, 1 TD

WR Jordan Shipp – 320 yards, 2 TD

Syracuse (Offense):

QB Steve Angeli – 1,352 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT (out with Achilles injury; backup Rickie Collins starting)

RB Yasin Willis – 434 yards, 4 TD

WR Johntay Cook II – 501 yards, 2 TD

Matchup to Watch: UNC’s run defense (25th nationally, 110.6 yds allowed/game) vs. Syracuse’s ground game led by Willis.

Team Recent Form

North Carolina): Lost 17-16 to Virginia in Week 9. Offense ranks 126th in scoring (18.3 PPG) but defense is mid-tier (23.9 PPG allowed).

Syracuse: Lost 41-16 to Georgia Tech last week. Offense averages 25.4 PPG, but defense allows 31.3 PPG (116th nationally).

Recent Form:

UNC: 0-3 in ACC play, but competitive in close losses to Cal and Virginia.

Syracuse: 4-game losing streak since Angeli’s injury.

Series History

All-Time: North Carolina leads 6-3.

Last Meeting: UNC defeated Syracuse 40-7 in 2023.

At Syracuse: Series split 2-2.

Betting Trends

North Carolina: 1-4 ATS in last 5 ACC games.

Syracuse: 0-4 ATS in last 4 games since Angeli’s injury.

Totals: Under has hit in 3 of UNC’s last 4 games; Syracuse games trending Under since QB change.

Historical Betting Results

UNC has covered in 3 of last 4 vs. Syracuse.

Syracuse has failed to cover in 5 of last 6 as a home favorite.

The Under has cashed in 4 of last 6 meetings.

Projected Score: North Carolina 24, Syracuse 20

Game Odds

North Carolina Tar Heels              45.5

Syracuse Orange                              – 1.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, October 30, 2025