Saturday, October 17, 2020, Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida, 7:30 p.m. ET
Tar Heels at Seminoles Betting Preview: Tar Heels (-13.5), Seminoles (+13.5)
North Carolina Tar Heels
The No. 5 Tar Heels (3-0, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have their highest national ranking since 1997 but now need to stay focused as they take on the unranked Seminoles.
“We need to buy a house in this neighborhood. We haven’t been here much,” said coach Mack Brown, who was just finishing his first stint as Tar Heels’ coach the last time the Heels were ranked this high. “We’ve been visiting the first couple of weeks in the Top 10. This is who we want to be, but have we earned it yet.”
The Tar Heels put it all together offensively last week in a 56-35 romp past then No. 19 Virginia Tech, their first ranked opponent of the season. Michael Carter rushed for 214 yards and Javonte Williams for 169 as the Heels ran for 399 yards.
“They’re some of the best backs I’ve ever seen in my life,” said quarterback Sam Howell, who completed 18 of 23 passes for 257 yards and three scores.
Howell has completed 67.8 percent of his 83 passes for an average of 259 yards a game. Dyami Brown is the leading receiver with 23 catches for 240 yards, an 18.5 per catch average.
Florida State Seminoles
For just the third time in 20 opportunities the Seminoles (1-3, 0-3ACC) are unranked at the time of their meeting with the Tar Heels, and they will be facing the nation’s fifth-ranked team for a second consecutive weekend after their 42-26 loss at then-No. 5 Notre Dame last week.
First-year coach Mike Norvell thinks the ‘Noles showed some progress in the 16-point setback to the Irish.
“I think we took a step in the positive direction,” Norvell said. “I thought we played with the right mindset. We need to go play our best game this week.”
Sophomore Jordan Travis will be getting his second career start at quarterback after passing for 204 yards and rushing for 96 in his first last week. The transfer from Louisville showed some playmaking skills that were not evident from earlier FSU starters.
“I’m excited to see him build upon that,” Norvell said.
Tar Heels at Seminoles Betting Pick for October 17, 2020
The Tar Heels have won the last two meetings with the Seminoles, but the last was four years ago by a second consecutive 37-35 score. The other meeting was in 2010 and also in Tallahassee. Brown is 0-9 as a coach against his alma mater with an 0-6 mark during his earlier time with the Tar Heels. The streak figures to end this week.
Tar Heels at Seminoles Betting Pick:
Tar Heels 42, Seminoles 28
Tar Heels at Seminoles Bet for October 17, 2020
Both teams have shown offensive capabilities. The Seminoles are one of 14 FBS teams that has rushed for at least 250 yards and passed for 250 yards in every game this season. The Tar Heels have averaged 245 yards a game rushing and 261.7 passing with a dual threat at running back (Carter 137.7 ypg rushing, Williams 94.3 ypg).
Tar Heels at Seminoles Best Bet: OVER 61.5
–Field Level Media
