A fun ACC matchup is on the schedule for Week One when the #10 North Carolina Tar Heels visit the Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday, September 3, 2021. UNC has the biggest preseason expectations in program history, while Virginia Tech is still looking for an identity after the Frank Beamer departure five years ago. This game will air live on ESPN at 6:00 p.m. EST.
North Carolina enjoyed their best season in over 70 years when they finished 8-4 (7-3 in the ACC) and an Orange Bowl appearance in 2020. The Tar Heels suffered a 41-27 loss to Texas A&M in that Orange Bowl, but nonetheless there is buzz in Chapel Hill this season. Head Coach Mack Brown is once again proving how good of a coach he is.
Virginia Tech had a disappointing 2020 that saw the Hokies finish 5-6 overall (5-5 in the ACC) and miss out on a bowl game for the first time 1992. Their 27 consecutive bowl appearances was the fourth-longest streak in college football history. Head Coach Justin Fuente is firmly on the hotseat as he enters his sixth season in Blacksburg.
Below is the College Football betting pick, and preview, for the battle between the #10 North Carolina Tar Heels and Virginia Tech Hokies. All odds are from Draftkings Sportsbook.
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#10 North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Tech Hokies Betting Trends
North Carolina
- North Carolina is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of North Carolina’s last 8 games.
- North Carolina is 11-4 SU in their last 15 games.
- North Carolina is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games against Virginia Tech.
- North Carolina is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against Virginia Tech.
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of North Carolina’s last 15 games on the road.
- North Carolina is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Virginia Tech.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of North Carolina’s last 6 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast conference.
- North Carolina is 3-8 SU in their last 11 games played in September.
- North Carolina is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games played in week 1.
Virginia Tech
- Virginia Tech is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Virginia Tech is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Virginia Tech’s last 14 games against North Carolina.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 5 games at home.
- Virginia Tech is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against North Carolina.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Virginia Tech’s last 7 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast conference.
- Virginia Tech is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Coastal Division division.
- Virginia Tech is 12-3 SU in their last 15 games played in September.
- Virginia Tech is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games played in week 1.
North Carolina lost a lot of talent from last season but do return potential #1 pick Sam Howell to lead the offense. The Junior QB threw for almost 3,600 yards and 30 touchdowns last season and will be in the Heisman Trophy hunt if UNC lives up to expectations. Howell will be well protected this season as Guards Joshua Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan, along with Tackle Jordan Tucker, return to anchor this offensive line. Defensively, the Tar Heels return linebackers Tomon Fox and Jeremiah Gemmel, to go along with the strong defensive line headed by Tomari Fox and Raymond Vohasek.
Virginia Tech returns mediocre QB Braxton Burmeister but will rely heavily on Running Back Raheem Blackshear in 2021. Burmeister will have two weapons on the outside with Tre Turner and Tayvion Robinson returning at the receiver position. Defensively, the Hokies will be led by Defensive End Amare Barno and Linebackers Alan Tisdale and Dax Hollifield.
Series History: UNC won the meeting last season, but Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 24-12-6
North Carolina at Virginia Tech Football Pick: North Carolina -5.5 to win by double digits.