North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Odds & Prediction: Make This Moneyline Bet

North Carolina heads into Saturday’s huge showdown at Wake Forest with a chance to clinch the ACC’s Coastal Division.

These two teams combined for 113 points in UNC’s 58-55 win last season. North Carolina vs. Wake Forest odds are available for the rematch on the top sports betting apps.

The Demon Deacons (-3.5) opened as a short home favorite with the total set at 76.5. ESPN2 has will have live coverage Saturday from Truist Field in Winston Salem, NC, starting at 7:30 p.m.

This contest features two of the best QBs not only in the ACC but the nation in UNC’s Drake Maye and Wake’s Sam Hartman.

Here is a look at North Carolina vs. Wake Forest betting odds and a prediction.

North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Betting Line: Point Spread, Total, Moneyline

Here are live odds from around the betting market as the Tar Heels visit the Demon Deacons.

No. 15 North Carolina Tar Heels (8-1 overall, 5-3-1 ATS)

North Carolina pushed its record to a perfect 5-0 in ACC play with a 31-28 win at Virginia. It was also the fifth road win for the Tar Heels, who haven’t started 5-0 away from home since 1997 during Mack Brown’s first stint in Chapel Hill.

UNC’s offense is largely responsible for its overall success this season, and Maye finds himself as a Heisman Trophy candidate. He’s thrown for nearly 3,000 yards and 30 TDs during a remarkable rookie campaign.

Maye also leads the Tar Heels with 514 yards rushing, and he’s tacked on four rushing TDs. WR Josh Downs is Maye’s top target with 693 yards and eight receiving TDs during an injury truncated season. What has Downs done for UNC lately? He had 15 receptions for 166 yards and a TD in the victory at Virginia.

North Carolina has won in spite of its defense, which ranks 122nd of 131 FBS schools nationally. The Tar Heels give up an average of 455.7 total yards and 31 points per game. This will likely pose a big problem against Hartman and the Demon Deacons.

Also read: Heisman Trophy 2022 Odds

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman  (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-3 overall, 6-3 ATS)

Wake Forest dropped to 2-3 in the ACC after a 30-21 loss at NC State on Saturday. It also lost its distinction as a ranked team, dropping from No. 20 to outside of the top 25. Much was expected after the Demon Deacons entered the season at No. 22 in the AP poll.

Wake is now second to last in the ACC’s Atlantic Division, but it still represents a serious hurdle for North Carolina to overcome especially at home.

Wake Forest remains an explosive team on offense, averaging 36.9 points per game. That ranks second only to North Carolina (40.6) in the ACC. Hartman has been outshined by Maye in the ACC QB spotlight, but he’s still thrown for 24 TDs and close to 2,500 passing yards. WR A.T. Perry burned UNC for 129 yards and two TDs in last year’s loss, and he’s capable of doing so again. Perry amassed 159 yards and a TD last week against NC State.

The Demon Deacons will look to avenge last year’s cliffhanger loss to the Tar Heels – and put the brakes on an uncharacteristic two-game losing skid. Wake turned the ball over eight times in a self-inflicted loss to Louisville before the defeat to a ranked NC State team last week.

North Carolina vs. Wake Forest Prediction

North Carolina has been fortunate to win some close games despite its defense this season. To wit: The 31-28 win last week at Virginia, where the Tar Heels failed to cover as a 7-point favorite. If there’s an ACC team that can make UNC pay for its defensive transgressions, and pull off the outright victory at home, it’s Wake Forest under the direction of Hartman.    

Our Pick: Demon Deacons ML (-159)