North Carolina (8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS) heads into the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against West Virginia (8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS) without the services of QB Drake Maye, who’s one of many high-profile players opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft.
All totaled, the Tar Heels will be without seven players. West Virginia has four players unavailable with All-America center Zach Frazier the biggest name. Frazier underwent surgery for a season-ending leg injury.
Let’s explore North Carolina vs. West Virginia spread, props, and predictions for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
North Carolina vs. West Virginia odds: Point spread, moneyline & total
Here are live college football betting odds for North Carolina vs. West Virginia:
The betting line has moved further in West Virginia’s direction after opening at Mountaineers -3.5.
UNC betting news: Tar Heels need to ride running game with Omarion Hampton
North Carolina’s most dynamic wide receiver, Tez Walker, also opted out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Without Maye and Walker, UNC will have to lean heavily on RB Omarion Hampton.
Hampton, who ranks fifth in the country with 1,442 rushing yards, leads the Tar Heels with 16 total TDs on the year. He had seven games with 100+ rushing yards.
Conner Harrell takes the reins at quarterback. The redshirt freshman has just four career completions. The good news is he completed all four of his pass attempts and one for a TD in a 59-7 win over Campbell.
North Carolina started the season in Bank of America Stadium with a 31-17 win over South Carolina. UNC rolled to a 6-0 start and No. 10 in the nation, but the Tar Heels lost four of their last six games. UNC suffered a 39-20 loss to rival NC State in the regular season finale.
North Carolina’s season unraveled due to its defense. In what became all too typical toward the end of the season, the Tar Heels surrendered 505 yards of offense in the loss against NC State. North Carolina ranks 106th nationally, allowing 27.1 points per game.
Making matters worse against WVU, First-Team All-ACC linebacker Cedric Gray won’t play as he preps for the NFL. Gray led the Tar Heels with 121 tackles. He added five sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception on the year.
North Carolina has lost its last three bowl games:
- Oregon 28 UNC 27 (2022 Holiday Bowl)
- South Carolina 38 UNC 21 (2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl)
- Texas A&M 41 UNC 27 (2020 Orange Bowl)
The Tar Heels and Mountaineers previously played a bowl game in Charlotte. West Virginia defeated UNC, 31-30, in the 2008 Meineke Bowl at Bank of America Stadium.
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West Virginia betting news: Mountaineers own one of NCAA’s best running attacks
Unlike UNC, West Virginia finished the season strong by winning four of its last five games. WVU defeated Baylor, 34-31, in its final regular season game to finish Big 12 play with a 6-3 record.
North Carolina is familiar with one of West Virginia’s top playmakers in Devin Carter. The former NC State wide receiver has 27 catches, 501 receiving yards, and two TDs.
Overall, WVU is pretty well balanced on offense. The Mountaineers are ranked third in the country in rushing yards with 234.3 per game — and they add 204 yards through the air for 31.6 points per game.
Garrett Greene is a true dual threat QB with 2,178 passing yards and 15 passing touchdowns. He’s also run for 708 yards and 13 TDs. WVU also boasts a pair of running backs with more than 700 yards on the ground. CJ Donaldson (798) had 11 touchdowns and Jahiem White (792) added five total TDs.
Expect the Mountaineers to thrive on the ground against a UNC defense that’ll be without Gray. The future NFL draft pick finished with six solo tackles and 17 total tackles in his final college game against NC State. His absence might be felt just as much as Maye’s in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
WVU’s defense is keyed by linebacker Lee Kpogba, who racked up 85 tackles on the year. The Mountaineers only allow 145.6 rushing yards per game, ranking them 52nd in the country.
With a win over UNC, WVU head coach Neal Brown will enjoy his winningest season at 9-4.
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Players opting out of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Here’s a list of North Carolina players not available for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl due to transfer or opt out:
- QB Drake Maye
- WR Tez Walker
- C Corey Gaynor
- LB Cedric Gray
- TE Kamari Morales
- DT Kedrick Bingley-Jones
- RB Elijah Green
West Virginia players not playing in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl because of transfer or opting out include:
- DL Mike Lockhart
- S Hershey McLaurin
- S Keyshawn Cobb
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: North Carolina vs. WVU props
Take a look at winning margin (4-way) props for North Carolina vs. WVU at FanDuel.
- UNC by 1-13 points (+300)
- UNC by 14+ points (+650)
- WVU by 1-13 points (+185)
- WVU by 14+ points (+175)
North Carolina vs. West Virginia prediction ATS
This line moved two full points in WVU’s direction on the news that Maye wouldn’t be playing. His absence on offense and Gray’s on defense will be felt by the Tar Heels. WVU’s running game will be the difference in this game.
Pick: Mountaineers