Connecticut Huskies vs North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction, Odds & Picks

The UConn Huskies make the quick 90-minute trip up Interstate 84 to the Mass Pike for the Wasabi Fenway Bowl in Boston. The good news for the Huskies is that they haven’t been hurt too much by the transfer portal or by opt-outs, so this should generally be the same team we saw win eight games in the regular season. QB Joe Fagnano was a bit erratic at 56.6% completion percentage with 1,480 yards, 18 TDs and 4 INTs, and he’s not much of a runner. The Huskies lost Durell Robinson to Auburn via the portal, but RB Cam Edwards can more than handle the full load. In fact, he led the team with 756 yards with seven scores to Robinson’s eight. UConn was 0-3 against the ACC in 2024, falling to Duke, Syracuse and Wake Forest.

UNC has a lot of hype with Bill Belichick coming to coach next season, but that doesn’t help them here. Freddie Kitchens becomes interim coach after Mack Brown was fired after the regular season. Unfortunately for Kitchens and the Tar Heels, superstar RB Omarion Hampton has opted after declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. That’s a big crater in the UNC offense after he gained 1,660 yards on the ground, second only to Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. On defense, DT Jahvaree Ritzie and DE Kaimon Rucker have also declared for the draft. Let’s back UConn since they are closer to Boston, should have a strong following, etc. Plus, the Tar Heels are without Hampton, and that hurts tremendously.

UConn +2.5 (-110) at time of publication. Can be played at +1.