The ACC brings us Friday night college football on Halloween as Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Tar Heels face the Syracuse Orange. These teams’ records are not where they want them to be, but one of these teams will walk away with a win on Friday night.
Our North Carolina vs. Syracuse prediction contains the latest game details, head-to-head history, exclusive PFSN player and team grades, and concludes with a score forecast for this exciting Friday night clash from the JMA Wireless Dome.
North Carolina vs. Syracuse Details
- Date:Â Friday, Oct. 31, 2025
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: JMA Wireless Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
- Predicted weather at kick: Game is indoors
- How to watch: ESPN
North Carolina vs. Syracuse Head-to-Head Record
These programs have met only three times since 2017, with UNC winning the last two. Their most recent meeting was in October 2023, when the Tar Heels won 40-7 at home. This will be the first time UNC has traveled to Syracuse since 2018.
North Carolina vs. Syracuse Grades
- UNC: 70.6 (C-)
- Syracuse: 77.6 (C+)
- UNC: 78.7 (C+)
- Syracuse: 74.9 (C)
- UNC: 66.6 (D)
- Syracuse: 75.1 (C)
- Gio Lopez, UNC: 69.1 (D+)
- Rickie Collins, Syracuse: 73.4 (C)
- Demon June, UNC: 75.7 (C)
- Yasin Willis, Syracuse: 75.4 (C)
- Jordan Shipp, UNC: 73.7 (C)
- Johntay Cook, Syracuse: 77.4 (C+)
- Jake Johnson, UNC: 72.3 (C-)
- Dan Villari, Syracuse: 79 (C+)
- Melkart Abou-Jaoude, UNC: 73.7 (C)
- David Reese, Syracuse: 75.6 (C)
- CJ Mims, UNC: 72.9 (C-)
- Kevin Jobity Jr., Syracuse: 74.2 (C)
- Andrew Simpson, UNC: 77.7 (C+)
- Antoine Deslauriers, Syracuse: 74.6 (C)
- Thaddeus Dixon, UNC: 78.5 (C+)
- Demetres Samuel Jr., Syracuse: 94.8 (A)
- Coleman Bryson, UNC: 77.1 (C+)
- Duce Chestnut, Syracuse: 80.8 (B-)
North Carolina vs. Syracuse Prediction
While both teams sport bad records, they are going in opposite directions. Syracuse seems to be in free-fall mode after starting quarterback Steve Angeli suffered a torn Achilles tendon in week four. The offense has been very poor under backup QB Rickie Collins, with the Orange failing to reach more than 20 points in a game with him under center.
The offense should have a tough time again this week against North Carolina, whose defense has improved since their Bye week. The Tar Heels fumbled in their own territory on the very first possession of the game against Cal, giving the Bears an easy short field touchdown. After that, the UNC defense allowed only 14 points.
And at home against top-15-ranked Virginia, UNC allowed only 10 points in regulation before giving up a touchdown in overtime. The defense as a whole has gotten much better, but the run defense in particular has stood out. In their last two games against Cal and Virginia, UNC allowed a total of 139 rushing yards and only gave up around 2.1 yards per carry.
Keep an eye out for the status of UNC defensive back Thaddeus Dixon. Dixon is the Tar Heels’ best defensive back and has been out with injury for a few games. He is aiming to return this week and would give this secondary a significant boost.
The North Carolina offense has been sluggish under QB Gio Lopez, but there have been signs of life after the Oct. 11 bye week. There were plenty of missed scoring chances in their recent two games, including two instances of receivers fumbling the ball right before crossing the goal line for a touchdown. Overall, the offense has been more effective and efficient and should show no signs of slowing down against a very leaky Syracuse defense.
In their last four games, the Orange have given up 140 total points, averaging about 35 points allowed per game. With the direction this UNC offense is trending, they should be able to put up a big number here. It also helps that UNC plays a very slow tempo while controlling the ball. This will lead to long possessions and wear down the Syracuse defense.
It’s not uncommon for teams with lots of coaching or roster turnover to come out looking much better off a bye week. The week off is crucial for improving chemistry and working on timing for rosters trying to mesh. I think that’s what is happening in Chapel Hill right now, considering these last two weeks have been North Carolina’s best performances of the year. UNC is trending in a positive direction and has new signs of life.
This stout UNC defense will shut down Syracuse’s lifeless offense. And when the Heels are on offense, expect long possessions and a slow tempo to control the clock and wear down the Orange defense. Belichick’s team missed easy chances to win recent games against Cal and Virginia, but they will take advantage here against a very poor Syracuse team that could be ready to quit.
Prediction: UNC 27, Syracuse 14
