Virginia Cavaliers Host North Carolina Tar Heels in Crucial ACC Showdown

The Virginia Cavaliers are set to host the North Carolina Tar Heels in a pivotal ACC matchup on Saturday, October 26, at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Virginia. This game marks the 129th meeting between the two teams, making it the second-most played rivalry in college football, tied with Georgia-Auburn and only surpassed by Wisconsin-Minnesota.

The North Carolina Tar Heels, currently 3-4 overall and 0-3 in the ACC, are on a four-game losing streak, having last won on September 14 against North Carolina Central. They are desperate for their first ACC win of the season. In contrast, the Virginia Cavaliers, with a 4-3 overall record and 2-2 in the ACC, are looking to bounce back from consecutive losses to Louisville and Clemson.

The betting odds favor Virginia, with the Cavaliers listed as 3.5-point favorites and a moneyline of -170. The over/under is set at 59.5 points. Historically, Virginia has won five of the last seven meetings against North Carolina, including a notable 31-27 upset victory over then-No. 10 North Carolina last year in Chapel Hill.

Both teams have struggled defensively, with North Carolina ranking 107th nationally in points allowed per game (30.4) and Virginia ranking 78th (25.7). However, both teams have shown the ability to score, with Virginia putting up 30+ points in four of seven games and North Carolina achieving the same in four of their last six games.

The game will be broadcast on The CW Network, with kickoff scheduled for noon ET. The predicted weather at kick time is partly cloudy with a temperature of 69 degrees and winds of 4 mph.

Tony Elliott, Virginia’s head coach, is 1-1 against North Carolina, while Mack Brown, North Carolina’s head coach, has a 5-10 record against the Cavaliers. This matchup is crucial for both teams as they aim to reach the six-win threshold for bowl eligibility.