NCAA Football Betting Preview
Florida State Seminoles (2-4) at North Carolina Tarheels (4-2)
Thursday October 22nd, 8:00PM Eastern

Betus.com betting line – North Carolina -2.5, 47 O/U

The Florida State Seminoles program has taken a turn for the worse as they stare down an ugly 2-4 record on the season and have also failed to capture a conference win with a disappointing 0-3 mark in the ACC. The Seminoles were expected to be front runners in the ACC this season, but they are ranked dead last in the ACC and Bobby Bowden’s career is in jeopardy. The Seminoles will get the luxury of playing on the big stage this Thursday night thanks to a nationally televised ESPN contest when they travel to Kenan Stadium to battle the North Carolina Tarheels. The Tarheels have been equally disappointing in conference play with a 0-2 mark which included an upset loss to Virginia. However, the Tarheels are above the .500 mark at 4-2 on the year and they will be slight favorites at home this Thursday night. The Seminoles will desperately be trying to right the ship on the road as try to avoid falling to 2-5. If that happens, Florida State chances of not making a bowl will be in doubt for the first time in 28 years.

North Carolina is also a team that feels that should be playing a little better than they have this season. The offense has not been very impressive, but the defense is the best in the ACC. The Tarheels rank 3rd in overall defense holding teams to just 237 yards per game behind only Alabama and Florida. One number that also jumps out heading into their meeting with Florida State is their pass defense which ranks number 1 in all of college football holding teams to just 125 yards passing. The Tarheels have yet to play a quarterback like Christian Ponder or a really good passing offense, but they are still very talented in the secondary. Those corners and safeties will look to shut down the Florida State passing game and prolong the Seminoles disappointing season.

Florida State on the other hand must find a way to pick apart the Tarheels strong pass defense. The Seminoles have had very little success running the ball this season and it is safe to say the offense relies on Ponder. Ponder is completing an impressive 68% on the season and has 9 touchdowns to just 1 pick. Not only is Ponder a very talented thrower, but he has some talent to target as well. Senior Richard Goodman and sophomore Bert Reed are consistent playmakers at the receiver position. Each player has posted a little over 350 yards receiving this season and own a solid 13 yards per catch average. If the receivers can help Ponder make some big plays the in result equals into points, then they could really put the pressure on the North Carolina offense.

The Tarheels offense has been fairly terrible this season ranking towards the very bottom of the nation averaging just 282 yards per game. Junior QB T.J Yates has been more of a liability than a luxury. Yates has 7 picks on the season including two a piece in both ACC match-ups. The Tarheels quarterback has not been very helpful in the passing game averaging just 173 yards per game. Of course the Tarheels lost some big time receivers a year ago and there has not been anyone to step up to fill that void either. As a result, the running game gets the biggest work load. Tailback Shaun Draughn gets most the action and has been a stable runner averaging 4 yards per pop. Draughn is the more elusive back, but Ryan Houston will get the ball in power needed situations. The bulldozer is a scoring machine in short yardage plays and has 7 scores on the year. Expect North Carolina to run the ball well against the Florida State offense. If that can keep the chains moving and the defense does not give up many big plays, the Tarheels will take down the road victory.

Pick – North Carolina -2.5