North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Picks, Predictions College Football Week 11: Is a Shootout Coming?
In a game that might finish with a basketball score, the North Carolina Tar Heels and Wake Forest Demon Deacons are set to square off. Read on for our UNC-Wake Forest picks and predictions.
Points will be scored in bunches during the Week 11 ACC battle between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday.
In a game featuring two high-octane offenses, North Carolina is 8-1 (5-0 ACC) and riding a five-game win streak. Meanwhile, Wake Forest is 6-3, including 2-3 in league play. The Demon Deacons are also looking to snap a two-game skid.
Here are our top picks for the college football Week 11 game between North Carolina and Wake Forest (odds via BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanduel Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Check out our college football Week 11 roundup, games to watch, and best against-the-spread picks.
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Game Info
Date: Saturday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Location: Truist Field in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Weather: 54 degrees, 0 chance of precipitation, 9-mph west winds
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Odds
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Odds Analysis
Despite its overall record, Wake Forest opened as a 3.5-point home favorite. The line has since shifted to 4 across the board. BetMGM is offering a 4.5-point spread, a tantalizing option for those considering the underdog.
The total opened at 75.5 before rising to 77.5. Currently, 64% of the handle is on Wake Forest, and 77% of the total money is on the Over.
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Picks
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest ATS Pick
North Carolina +4.5 (-110) ★★★
There's certainly an argument that North Carolina hasn’t been tested as much during its impressive season. This will be the first time the Tar Heels have been an underdog since their 27-24 win over Miami as a 4-point road dog.
UNC is 5-4 against the spread, and the school can make a statement with a win on Saturday. The Tar Heels have won all five of their road games, but now they don't even need to win while covering.
As the total indicates, this will be a back-and-forth game between two explosive offenses and a pair of underwhelming defenses. So take the points and back the team with the better quarterback.
Drake Maye leads the country with 31 touchdown passes, and he's posting the best Pro Football Focus grade.
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest O/U Pick
Under 77.5 (-110) ★★★★
This high total is a rarity, even in the current era of college football. North Carolina ranks ninth in the nation while averaging 40.6 points per game, while Wake Forest is averaging 36.9 points per contest and sitting 19th.
Both defenses also leave a lot to be desired. The last two meetings between these programs have both ended with over 100 points.
However, the Under is still the right play because the total is simply too high. The Under has hit during five of Wake Forest's games in 2022, including four over its last five outings. This would be the highest total of the season for either team, and it just seems like a bit of an overreaction after the last two meetings between the schools.
North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Prop Pick
Wake Forest Under 41.5 points (-113) ★★★★
If we believe Wake Forest can lose and this game will go Under, it makes sense to target a team total for the home squad. The Demon Deacons might be averaging nearly 37 points per game, but they haven’t touched this mark over their last two outings while posting a pair of 21-point performances.
Wake Forest has cleared 41.5 points five times in 2022, but only twice since the calendar flipped past September. North Carolina hasn’t allowed more than 35 points in a game since late September, and we'll bet on that streak continuing during this ACC clash.
Where to Bet on North Carolina-Wake Forest Picks
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
North Carolina-Wake Forest picks made 11/11/2022 at 12:05 p.m. ET
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