North Carolina Tar Heels (8-4) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (8-4)
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. West Virginia Mountaineers – The anticipation for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl is at an all-time high as the North Carolina Tar Heels and the West Virginia Mountaineers, both with 8-4 records, prepare to face off. Set for December 27, 2023, this NCAAF bowl game promises to be a thrilling contest, ripe with opportunities for NCAAF bowl latest picks.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 5:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Bank of America Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Drake Maye QB vs. Garrett Greene QB
Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye has put together an impressive campaign, compiling 3,608 passing yards while completing 63.3% of his attempts. Maye displays advanced field vision for a redshirt freshman. He excels at quickly processing coverage schemes and finding the open man. However, Maye has also shown some vulnerability to turning the ball over at times. His ability to take care of the football and handle the Mountaineers pass rush could determine whether the Heels emerge victorious.
On the other side, Garrett Greene helms the West Virginia offense with modest but steady production. He lacks elite physical tools but makes up for it with grittiness and competitiveness. Greene is an adept scrambler, using his mobility to extend plays and create offense with his legs when needed. His dual-threat versatility poses a challenge for the Tar Heels defense, which has been vulnerable against running QBs this season. Greene will likely need to produce some dynamic offense both through the air and on the ground to complement the Mountaineers’ stingy defense against North Carolina’s high-flying aerial assault.
Tar Heels’ Key Support: Hampton and Walker
Omarion Hampton and Devontez Walker have been instrumental in North Carolina’s offense. Hampton amassed 1442 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns to bolster the ground game while Maye provided air assault. Walker averaged 17 yards per reception in receiving and was an effective threat in passing game as well.
Mountaineers’ Dynamic Duo: Donaldson Jr. and Carter
CJ Donaldson Jr. and Devin Carter have been instrumental for West Virginia. Donaldson’s 798 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns provide a reliable ground attack, while Carter offers deep threat options with his average 18.6 yard per reception and two touchdown receptions that help make big plays happen.
NCAAF Betting Odds: West Virginia Tar Heels -245, Over/Under: 54
The odds favor West Virginia, despite identical records. The over/under at 54 points suggests expectations of a moderately high-scoring affair, aligning with both teams’ offensive strengths.
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends
North Carolina are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games.
Tar Heels are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of North Carolina’s last 5 games against an opponent in the Big 12 conference.
North Carolina are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games played in December.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of North Carolina’s last 5 games when playing as the underdog.
West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 6 of West Virginia’s last 7 games.
West Virginia are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.
Mountaineers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast conference.
West Virginia are 0-10 ATS in their last 10 games played in December.
West Virginia are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games played on a Wednesday.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of West Virginia’s last 5 games when playing as the favourite.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Picks
The trends and stats suggest a closely contested game. North Carolina’s offensive prowess, led by Maye, is countered by West Virginia’s balanced attack and solid defense. The over/under point total indicates a potential for a high-scoring game, but both teams’ December performances add a layer of unpredictability.
Considering all factors, West Virginia seems to be the safer bet, particularly given their ATS trend against ACC teams. However, North Carolina’s ability to score heavily and perform in underdog situations makes them a viable pick. For those engaging with top betting websites, exploring prop bets on individual player performances could be lucrative, given the key players’ impressive stats.
Receiving Yards Prop: Virginia Tech 27, Tulane 20.
