Week 10 of the college football season is here, bringing a Friday night matchup between UNC (2-5) and Syracuse (3-5) at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Head coach Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels are looking to snap a four-game skid, and Orange head coach Fran Brown is seeking the same. With both sides struggling, one may right the ship in this ACC bout.
Below, we’ll break down a UNC vs. Syracuse prediction and Friday NCAAF pick. Roll with PrizePicks’ CFB game to consider player projections for RB Benjamin Hall and others.
UNC vs. Syracuse Prediction, Preview for CFB Week 10
Week 10 marks the eighth all-time meeting between these two programs. UNC leads the series with a narrow 4-3 advantage, fueled by back-to-back wins this decade.
In the most recent meeting in 2023, the Tar Heels dominated at Chapel Hill en route to a 40-7 blowout triumph over the Orange. Plenty has changed since then, though, as the teams combined for a 9-2 record at that time compared to a 5-10 record now.
Let’s take a closer look at the North Carolina vs. Syracuse matchup on Friday night.
UNC Tar Heels Preview vs. Syracuse
- Belichick’s tenure at UNC hasn’t started off as planned. The program has declined for yet another season, with year No. 1 under Belichick currently being winless in conference play.
- Could the Tar Heels be turning a corner? After 25- and 28-point losses to UCF and Clemson, they’ve dropped far more competitive games to Cal (21-18) and #16 Virginia (17-16).
- A struggling offense is North Carolina’s main culprit. They rank 129th in per-game scoring (14.5 points) and are 132nd in yardage (275.7).
- Focusing in further, UNC’s passing attack is dreadful. Per Game on Paper, it’s 132nd in EPA/play and 121st in success rate.
Syracuse Orange Preview vs. UNC
- Brown’s debut campaign with Syracuse couldn’t have gone much better. The fall from a 10-3 record and Holiday Bowl win is anything but graceful, however.
- The Orange are 1-4 in conference play, with their lone victory being a 34-21 drubbing of Clemson.
- 2025 is a tale of two seasons for Syracuse. They posted a +43 point differential in their first four games but have an ugly -90 margin since.
- Unlike their Friday opponent, defense is the main issue for ‘Cuse. A dreadful success rate against the pass (48.9%, via Game on Paper) ranks 129th in the country.
UNC vs. Syracuse Picks for PrizePicks
Below are a few UNC vs. Syracuse picks to target for Week 10. Halloween’s PrizePicks player projections include UNC RB Benjamin Hall, as well as Syracuse’s RB-WR duo of Yasin Willis and Johntay Cook.
UNC RB Benjamin Hall Projection: 43.5 Rush Yards
- Through six games, Hall has career-highs for rushing yards (186), TDs (2) and receptions (5).
- The Michigan transfer has received an uptick in involvement in recent games. He had a season-best 14 carries against Cal, followed by 11 at home vs. Virginia.
- Per Pro Football Focus, Hall’s yards after contact per attempt in those two games (3.50 and 2.45, respectively) were his highest of the season. Coincidence? Perhaps not.
- Syracuse’s run defense is middling, being 72nd in total EPA and ranking in the 47th percentile in EPA/rush.
Syracuse RB Yasin Willis Projection: 70.5 Rush + Receiving Yards
- With QB Rickie Collins struggling, coach Brown appears open to rotating QBs on Friday. That could spell more usage for Willis in a pivotal outing.
- Willis has logged at least 11 touches in every game this season, including three with 15 or more.
- Following a pair of down performances, Willis went off for 10 carries and 76 yards in Week 9’s 41-16 loss to Georgia Tech. He added 3 receptions for 23 yards to boot.
- Via Game on Paper, Willis ranks 151st among 271 qualified rushers in success rate at 41.8%.
- Although UNC’s run defense is 25th in EPA/play, it sits in just the 46th percentile in stuff percentage.
Syracuse WR Johntay Cook Projection: 54.5 Rec Yards
- After an extended stint at Texas and a tumultuous (and abbreviated) time at Washington, Cook has found a true home with the Orange.
- Dating back to his Sept. 20 breakout against Clemson — Syracuse’s last win — Cook is averaging 76 receiving yards per game.
- Cook ranks 239th out of 681 players in total EPA as a pass catcher this year.
- Of 122 WRs to receive at least 10 deep-ball targets, according to PFF, Cook is 21st with 19.73 yards per route run on such plays.
- The Tar Heels’ defense is susceptible to big plays, ranking in the 39th percentile in explosive pass rate surrendered.
Make UNC vs. Syracuse Picks on PrizePicks
It may not be the prettiest of matchups, but North Carolina and Syracuse each have opportunities to send statements on Friday. With PrizePicks’ real-money CFB game, you do too.
Whether it’s a UNC vs. Syracuse prediction, another Friday NCAAF pick, or even a weekend game, there are plenty of options to choose from.
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