Syracuse and North Carolina square off under the lights Friday night in a Halloween ACC showdown at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange (3–5, 1–4 ACC) return home hoping to exorcise their recent demons following a 41–16 loss at Georgia Tech last week. The offense has sputtered over the past month, averaging just over 12 points per game since losing their starting quarterback Steve Angeli.
North Carolina (2–5, 0–3 ACC), meanwhile, arrives in a similar funk, still searching for its first conference win under head coach Bill Belichick after a heartbreaking overtime loss to Virginia. Both teams enter desperate to avoid a scary slide out of bowl contention.
Syracuse must rely on its ground game to find some rhythm, as quarterback Rickie Collins continues to find his footing. The Orange need to protect the ball and avoid the self-inflicted mistakes that have haunted them in recent weeks. North Carolina’s defense, which can be stingy against the run, will try to turn this one-dimensional offense into a nightmare. If the Tar Heels can finish drives, something they’ve struggled to do, and create turnovers, they have a real chance to spoil the spooky party at Syracuse.
Given the Halloween backdrop and an “Orange Out” theme inside the Dome, expect the atmosphere to be lively and spirited. Syracuse will need to summon some late-season moxy to defend home turf, but UNC’s hungry defense could steal the show. Either way, Friday night’s clash should deliver a few thrills before the final whistle.
Syracuse vs. UNC betting preview
Explore the interactive widget below to view the current spread, total, and moneyline betting odds for the Syracuse-North Carolina matchup at JMA Wireless Dome.
This prediction and best bet for Friday’s ACC matchup between the Orange and the Tar Heels comes from Dimers.com, a leader in sports betting predictions.
Matchup OverviewDate: Friday, October 31, 2025Time: 7:30 PM ETVenue: JMA Wireless DomeNCAAF rankings: Updated AP Top 25College football news: Check the latest updates from the official NCAA football news siteOddsSpread: Syracuse favored at -2Total (Over/Under): 45.5Moneyline Odds: North Carolina +115, Syracuse -129
The odds and lines presented in this article are the best available from selected sports betting sites at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Syracuse enters this matchup 3-4-1 against the spread this season, although just 1-3 ATS since losing Angeli. UNC comes 4-3 against the spread, with covers in each of its last two games.
Historically, the Tar Heels hold a 4-3 advantage straight up in the series, with the last win coming in 2023 (40-7 in Chapel Hill). The Orange won the last time these two teams squared off in Syracuse, 40-37 in double OT back in 2018.
SYRACUSE, NY – OCTOBER 20: Eric Dungey #2 of the Syracuse Orange runs with the ball for a touchdown during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Carrier Dome on October 20, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeats North Carolina in overtime 40-37. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)Getty ImagesExpert Prediction: Syracuse vs. North Carolina
Dimers’ predictive model gives Syracuse an edge heading into Friday night’s Halloween clash. After 10,000 simulations, the Orange emerge victorious in 65% of outcomes, compared to just 35% for the Tar Heels. The model leans on Syracuse’s ability to control the tempo, particularly with its defense playing better within the Dome. UNC, though dangerous in spots, has struggled to finish drives and sustain offensive momentum against disciplined defenses.
Score Prediction: Syracuse vs. North Carolina
Projected Final Score: Syracuse 26, UNC 21
This projection points to a key home win for the Orange. Expect a few momentum swings early before Syracuse’s ground attack and defensive pressure take over late. The spread and total reflect a matchup that could hinge on red-zone execution more than explosive plays.
Best Bet: Syracuse -2.5 (-110)
The data supports backing the Orange to cover a small spread. Playing at home on Halloween night should give Syracuse a tangible energy boost, and their defense matches up well against UNC’s inconsistent offense. The Tar Heels have talent but haven’t shown enough consistency to warrant trust on the road.
Conclusion: Syracuse vs. UNC
With a loud Dome crowd, an “Orange Out” atmosphere, and both teams desperate for an ACC win, Friday’s game should deliver plenty of drama. Syracuse looks poised to take advantage of its home-field edge and defensive depth, while North Carolina will need a near-flawless performance to flip the script. Expect the Orange to treat their fans to a spirited Halloween win.
We emphasize that all of the college football best bets and college football predictions on this page are derived from 10,000 data-driven simulations of the Syracuse vs. North Carolina game, and they are correct at the time of publication to help you make better decisions when placing bets at online sportsbooks.
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