The UConn Huskies (8-4) face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6) on Saturday, December 28th. This game will be played at Fenway Park in Boston and televised on ESPN. UConn is coming off a win in their previous game, while North Carolina is looking to get back on track from a loss to the NC State. Kickoff is set for 11:00 ET.

UConn Huskies vs North Carolina Tar Heels

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UConn Offense Breakdown

Heading into week 1, UConn’s offense ranks 30th in points per game, averaging 32.3. They are 22nd in rushing, with 202.2 yards per game, and average 38.6 rushing attempts per game. Cam Edwards leads the ground attack with 756 yards, seven touchdowns, and a 5-yard average per carry.

Quarterback Joe Fagnano has thrown for 1,480 yards and 18 touchdowns, with four interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 106. UConn is ranked 101st in our offensive power rankings. Skyler Bell, the leading receiver, has 783 yards and four touchdowns on 47 catches.

North Carolina Offense Breakdown

North Carolina’s offense is averaging 32.3 points per game, placing them 30th nationally. They are ranked 58th in our offensive power rankings heading into their matchup with UConn. The Tar Heels have leaned on their ground game, averaging 190 rushing yards per game on 38.8 attempts.

Omarion Hampton leads the rushing attack with 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry. Quarterback Jacolby Criswell has thrown for 2,452 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 90. J.J. Jones leads the receivers with 570 yards and six touchdowns.

UConn Team Defense

UConn’s defense has allowed an average of 23.8 points per game this season, ranking 39th nationally. In their latest game against UMass, they gave up 42 points, including four passing touchdowns, while allowing 396 total yards, with 190 rushing yards on 41 attempts.

Opponents have averaged 223.8 passing yards per game against UConn, completing 60.3% of their passes. UConn’s defense has faced the 103rd most passing attempts in the country and is allowing 140.9 rushing yards per game on 34.2 attempts.

UConn Team Defense

North Carolina’s defense has allowed an average of 28.2 points per game this season, including 35 points in their recent loss to NC State. In that game, they gave up 462 total yards, with 220 rushing yards on 46 attempts and 242 passing yards, though they did manage to force an interception.

Opposing quarterbacks have completed 57% of their passes against North Carolina, averaging 232.6 passing yards per game. The Tar Heels rank 76th in the nation, allowing 146.1 rushing yards per game on an average of 36.7 attempts.

UConn vs North Carolina Trends

• Across their last five road contests, UConn has a 3-2 record vs the spread. Their overall mark in these games was 2-3, while averaging 26 points per game.
• Through their last ten home contests, the North Carolina Tar Heels offense has averaged 26 points per game while allowing an average of 27. North Carolina posted an overall record of 4-6 while going 3-6-1 ATS.
• Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, UConn has an ATS mark of 2-1 while going 0-3 straight up.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the North Carolina Tar Heels have a straight up record of 5-5 and an ATS mark of 1-8-1.

Huskies vs Tar Heels Prediction

UConn is the +4.5 point underdog on the road vs. North Carolina, but we like them to win this matchup 30-27. This would make UConn the best bet vs. the spread and straight-up.

With the over/under line sitting at 54.5 points, our projections have these teams combining for 57 points, making the over the best play for this matchup.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.