The upcoming Week 11 game of the 2023 NCAAF season between the Duke Blue Devils (7-2) and the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-3) is set to take place at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This match holds particular significance as the two rivals compete for the Victory Bell, a title currently held by North Carolina after their victory in last year’s duel.
The Tar Heels are the favorites to win once again, with odds of -480 in their favor. They are also favored by 13 points ahead of Saturday’s clash primarily because of their impressive offensive performance throughout the 2023 season. However, the Blue Devils boast a strong defensive unit and currently hold the best defense in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The odds for the Duke-Carolina game are as follows:
Spread:
– Duke Blue Devils +12.5 (-110)
– North Carolina Tar heels -12.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
– Duke Blue Devils +360
– North Carolina Tar Heels -480
Points Total:
– Over 50.5 (-110)
– Under 50.5 (-110)
These odds were taken from Caesars Sportsbook on Tuesday, November 7.
The match is scheduled to take place at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 8:00 PM ET. Fans can catch the action live on the ACC Network.
In terms of offensive capabilities, North Carolina’s quarterback, Drake Maye, has been in phenomenal form lately, consistently throwing for at least two touchdowns in his last five games. Maye has also only thrown one interception in his last six NCAAF matches. He was also the recipient of last season’s ACC Player of the Year award.
The Tar Heels’ offense has been impressive overall, currently averaging 39.11 points in the 2023 NCAAF season, second only to Florida State’s 39.55 points in the ACC.
Despite Duke’s strong defense, it is unlikely that they will be able to contain North Carolina’s offense. Duke has allowed the fewest points of any team in the ACC, conceding only 15.66 points per game in 2023. However, when they faced Florida State, the highest-scoring team in the ACC, they allowed 38 points.
Duke’s offense, on the other hand, has struggled since quarterback Riley Leonard suffered an ankle injury in September. The team managed to score 149 points in the first four games with Leonard as their QB, but their performances have declined since then. Backup QB Henry Belin IV has also struggled.
In terms of prediction, it is expected that there will be a high-scoring game at Kenan Memorial Stadium, with North Carolina’s offense performing exceptionally well once again. Duke’s defense is unlikely to be able to stop them completely, but the Blue Devils may still manage to score a couple of touchdowns.
However, despite their efforts, it is unlikely to be enough for Duke to win the Victory Bell. Consequently, the prediction is for a North Carolina Tar Heels victory, with the expectation that the score will exceed the set points total.
Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels to win & over to hit.