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UNC vs Syracuse Player Props + Final Prediction for Friday’s ACC Showdown

Chris Amberley

By Chris Amberley in College Football

Published:


Bill Belichick looks on as his UNC Tar Heels warm up prior to a game.
Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
  • UNC visits Syracuse tonight in ACC action
  • The Tar Heels have yet to score 20 points versus an FBS opponent this season
  • See my favorite UNC vs Syracuse player props, plus a final prediction for Friday’s ACC showdown

It’s been a frightening season so far for Bill Belichick and UNC (2-5, 0-3 ACC). So it’s fitting that the Tar Heels are in action tonight, on the scariest night of the year. They’ll take on Syracuse (3-5, 1-4 ACC) in an ACC Halloween showdown, and if you like offense, you might be horrified by the product on the field.

Fortunately for us, we can take advantage of both lifeless offenses in the betting market. My UNC vs Syracuse college football player props are under heavy, while I’m also banking on a low-scoring contest for my final prediction.

UNC vs Syracuse Player Props

QuarterbackPassing YardsPassing TDs
Gio Lopez (UNC)191.5 (Ov -114 / Un -114)1.5 (Ov +158 / Un -215)
RusherRushing YardsAnytime TD
Benjamin Hall (UNC)43.5 (Ov -114 / Un -114)+180
Yasin Willis (SYR)54.5 (Ov -114 / Un -114)+105
ReceiverReceiving YardsAnytime TD
Jordan Shipp (UNC)50.5 (Ov -114 / Un -114)+140
Johntay Cook (SYR)54.5 (Ov -114 / Un -114)+145
Darrell Gill Jr. (SYR)42.5 (Ov -114 / Un -114)+190
Dan Villari (SYR)32.5 (Ov -114 / Un -114)+190

Let’s start our player props card with a fade of Syracuse RB Yasin Willis. He currently sports a rushing yards prop of 54.5, which is way too high given the matchup and the offensive line in front of him.

Be sure to also read our UNC vs Syracuse Prediction, Spread and Best Bets.

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UNC vs Syracuse Player Props #1: Yasin Willis Rushing Yards

Willis is the ultimate boom or bust rusher. When he breaks a long run, his numbers look respectable. When he can’t generate an explosive rush, his stats are pedestrian. In the four games Willis hasn’t posted a 30+ yard carry, he’s averaging 3.1 yards per attempt. His offensive line grades out 94th in run blocking per PFF, while run defense is the strength of the Tar Heels team.

UNC Run Defense

StatTotal
Opp Yards/Rush3.4 (19th)
Opp. Rush Yards/Game108.7 (29th)
PFF Run Defense Grade84.5 (47th)

UNC ranks 19th this season in yards per carry allowed, and over the last three games, they’re yielding just 2.4 yards per attempt. To make matters worse for Willis, the Orange are averaging just 12.5 points per game since starting QB Steve Angeli went down. His replacement Rickie Collins has been wild and turnover-prone, allowing opposing defenses to zero in on Willis and shut him down.

  • Yasin Willis Under 54.5 Rushing Yards (-114 at FanDuel)

UNC vs Syracuse Player Props #2: Gio Lopez Passing Yards

Speaking of inaccurate quarterbacks, allow me to introduce you to Gio Lopez. UNC reportedly paid $2 million for his services in the transfer portal, which looks like one of the all-time great heists by Lopez.

Here’s the number of 200-yard passing games on his 2025 resume. One. He’s been held below 170 yards in five of his six outings, with more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4). Lopez ranks 67th or worse in QBR, yards per dropback and adjusted completion percentage, and has zero touchdowns on throws beyond the line of scrimmage against FBS opponents.

Yes, the Orange defense is miserable. They’re 89th in yards allowed per pass, and 122nd in passing yards allowed. Nevertheless, Lopez has faced a handful of atrocious pass defenses already in 2025, and has fallen short of 200 yards nearly every time.

UNC vs Syracuse Final Prediction

While we’re on the topic of heists, convincing someone to bet over 46 points in this contest should be a criminal offense. UNC hasn’t scored 20 points against an FBS team all year, while Syracuse can’t move the football with Collins under center.

It’s been a nightmare first season for the Belichick staff, but they have made strides on defense. Not only are they defending the run as well as the top CFP National Championship odds contenders, but they’re also generating a ton of pressure recently. They’ve racked up 10 sacks in their last three outings, after recording just 4 total in their first four contests.

Gun to my head, I’d take North Carolina plus the points if choosing against the spread, but my UNC vs Syracuse final prediction is under 46.

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Chris Amberley
Chris Amberley

Sports Writer

As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.

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