Unranked UConn and unranked North Carolina both head to Boston to face each other in the Fenway Bowl. The game is at 11:00 AM ET on ESPN on Saturday morning. Can the Tar Heels cover the 2.5-point spread as neutral-site favorites this weekend? Keep reading for our UConn vs. North Carolina betting prediction.
UConn is 8-4 straight up this season and 6-4-2 against the spread. Their best win came against Georgia State, and their worst loss came against Wake Forest.
North Carolina is 6-6 straight up this season and 2-9-1 against the spread. Their best win came against Minnesota, and their worst loss came against James Madison.
UConn vs. North Carolina Matchup & Betting Odds
241 UConn Huskies (+2.5) vs. 242 North Carolina Tar Heels (-2.5); o/u 53.5
11:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, December 28, 2024
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
TV: ESPN
UConn vs. North Carolina Public Betting Prediction
As of this writing, our CFB Public Betting page shows that 71% of bets are on North Carolina. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
UConn Huskies Game Notes
Huskies quarterback Nick Evers is questionable to play on Saturday with a leg injury. Evers has thrown for 918 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in 8 games of action this season.
If Evers is unable to play, UConn will likely start Joe Fagnano at quarterback. Fagnano has thrown for 1,480 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions with a QBR of 47.0 in 9 regular season appearances this year.
UConn’s leading receiver Skyler Bell has entered the transfer portal and won’t suit up for the Huskies this weekend. The former Wisconsin Badger had 47 catches for 783 yards and 4 touchdowns this year.
North Carolina Tar Heels Game Notes
The Tar Heels will be missing several key players for their bowl game on Saturday. North Carolina’s top running back Omarion Hampton will sit out Saturday’s game. Hampton had a huge year as he ran for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry in 2024.
What’s more, North Carolina won’t have two of their top defensive linemen for this contest. Tar Heels defensive end Kaimon Rucker and defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie combined for 70 total tackles and 12.5 sacks this season. Both players will miss this weekend’s Fenway Bowl.
UConn vs. North Carolina Betting Trends
UConn is 11-9-2 ATS in non-conference games since the start of last season.
The Huskies are 4-3-2 ATS after a win since the beginning of last season.
North Carolina is 2-7 ATS after a loss since the start of last season.
North Carolina is 7-12-1 ATS as a favorite since the beginning of last season.
UConn vs. North Carolina Betting Prediction
North Carolina is in the midst of a transition period. Future NFL Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick accepted the head coaching job for the Tar Heels, but he won’t officially take the helm until after this game. In the meantime, former Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens will coach the Tar Heels in this contest. North Carolina will be missing their offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey for this game and 8 starters from this year’s regular season team. They will be facing an uphill climb.
For UConn, this is a big game. The Huskies finished the regular season 8-4 straight up. Three of UConn’s four losses came in one-score games to ACC teams. UConn likely feels like they have something to prove in this matchup, and it helps that the Huskies finished the regular season by winning 4 of their last 5 games outright. UConn has the motivational edge, the coaching advantage, and the proximity advantage in this contest. I’m taking the Huskies and the points at Fenway Park on Saturday morning.