The set-up: UNC comes in off a 22-19 loss at home to VT last weekend, while Syracuse enters off its bye week, previous to that falling 44-37 in OT on the road to Pitt.

The teams: UNC is averaging 20.6 PPG and it's allowing 33.8. QB Nathan Elliot has 920 yards and a poor 4:4 TD/INT. The Tar Heels put up a hell of a fight against the Hokies last weekend and I think the team carries that grit and determination over into this one.

Syracuse is averaging 43 PPG and it's allowing 25.2. QB Eric Dungey has 1,208 passing yards with ten TD's and four INT's.

The pick: Take it for what you will though, but UNC is 7-2 ATS in its last nine after scoring 20 points or less in its previous contest and 6-4 ATS in its last ten as a road dog in the +10.5 to +14.5 points range, while Syracuse is only 3-7 ATS in its last ten off a loss against a conference rival. I think that "rest" leads to "rust" for the Orange, leaving the back door wide open for the hungry Tar Heels. Grab the points.