North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Picks & Preview | NCAAFB Week 9

Omarion Hampton will lead the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-1) into their matchup versus the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-4) at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field on Saturday at 8:00 PM ET.

The Tar Heels are double-digit favorites (currently -12) in their game against the Yellow Jackets, with the over/under being 64.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Tar Heels are -445 and the Yellow Jackets are +336.)

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Game Info for North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech

• Game Day: Saturday, October 28, 2023
• Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: ACC Network
• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field

North Carolina Pick Insights

• So far this season, North Carolina has posted a 5-2-0 record against the spread.
• North Carolina has not yet covered the spread as favorites of 12 points or more this season (0-2).
• The teams have hit the over in three of North Carolina’s seven games with a set total.

North Carolina Stats & Insights

• North Carolina has the 65th-ranked defense this season (370.1 yards allowed per game), and has been better on offense, ranking fifth-best with a tally of 499.7 yards per game.
• North Carolina owns the 47th-ranked defense this year (22.4 points allowed per game), and has been better on the other side of the ball, ranking 17th-best with 35.9 points per game.
• On the offensive side of the ball, North Carolina has been a top-25 unit in terms of passing yards, ranking 10th-best in the FBS by putting up 321.3 per game. The Tar Heels rank 91st on defense (240.4 passing yards allowed per game).
• North Carolina is totaling 178.4 rushing yards per game on offense, which ranks them 39th in the FBS. The team’s defensive unit ranks 50th, surrendering 129.7 rushing yards per contest.
• North Carolina has the 57th-ranked defense this season in terms of third-down efficiency (36.6% third-down conversion rate allowed), and has been more effective on offense, ranking 10th-best with a 50.5% third-down percentage.
• North Carolina owns the 11th-best turnover margin in college football at +7, forcing 13 turnovers (20th in the FBS) while turning it over six times (14th in the FBS).

North Carolina’s Best Players

• Drake Maye leads North Carolina with 2,249 yards (321.3 ypg) on 170-of-260 passing with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He also has 201 rushing yards on 68 carries while scoring five touchdowns on the ground.
• Hampton has racked up 770 yards on 131 carries while finding paydirt eight times as a runner. He’s also caught 11 passes for 117 yards (16.7 per game) and one touchdown through the air.
• J.J. Jones has hauled in 25 receptions for 417 yards (59.6 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. .
• Nate McCollum has caught 33 passes for 385 yards (55 yards per game) and one touchdown this year.
• Devontez Walker has compiled 23 grabs for 321 yards, an average of 45.9 yards per game. He’s scored four times as a receiver this season.
• Kaimon Rucker has racked up 7.5 sacks to pace the team, while also recording 10 TFL and 31 tackles.
• Cedric Gray, North Carolina’s tackle leader, has 69 tackles, four TFL, 2.5 sacks, and one interception this year.
• Alijah Huzzie leads the team with three interceptions, while also collecting 28 tackles, one TFL, and three passes defended.

Georgia Tech Betting Insights

• Georgia Tech is 3-3-0 ATS this year.
• Georgia Tech is 1-1 against the spread when an underdog by 12 points or more this season.
• The teams have hit the over in four of Georgia Tech’s six games with a set total.

Georgia Tech Pick Insights

• Georgia Tech ranks 36th in total yards per game (434.1), but it has been worse on the other side of the ball, ranking ninth-worst in the FBS with 450.7 total yards conceded per contest.
• In terms of points scored Georgia Tech ranks 57th in the FBS (29.7 points per game), and it is 104th on defense (30.3 points allowed per game).
• Georgia Tech ranks 42nd in the FBS with 265 passing yards per contest on offense, and it ranks 65th with 223 passing yards surrendered per game on the defensive side of the ball.
• Georgia Tech’s defense has been bottom-25 in run defense this season, allowing 227.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks second-worst in the FBS. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 50th with 169.1 rushing yards per contest.
• Georgia Tech has been struggling on third down, ranking 19th-worst with a 44.8% third-down conversion percentage allowed per game. It has been better offensively, regstering a 44.4% third-down rate (28th-ranked).
• Georgia Tech owns a 0 turnover margin this season, which ranks 67th in the FBS.

Georgia Tech’s Best Players

• Haynes King has thrown for 1,835 yards on 133-of-223 passing with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season. He has chipped on the ground, as well, with 372 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
• Jamal Haynes is his team’s leading rusher with 84 carries for 465 yards, or 66.4 per game. He’s found paydirt four times on the ground, as well. Haynes has also chipped in with 13 catches for 122 yards.
• Eric Singleton Jr. has racked up 355 receiving yards on 20 catches to pace his squad so far this season while scoring five touchdowns as a receiver.
• Malik Rutherford has caught 28 passes and compiled 333 receiving yards (47.6 per game) with one touchdown.
• Dominick Blaylock’s 26 targets have resulted in 16 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown.
• Kyle Kennard leads the team with four sacks, and also has four TFL, 34 tackles, and one interception.
• Clayton Powell-Lee is the team’s tackle leader this year. He’s picked up 38 tackles and one interception.
• Jaylon King has picked off a team-leading three passes. He also has 31 tackles, one TFL, and three passes defended to his name.