North Carolina vs. Tennessee Music City Bowl Betting Preview
This North Carolina vs. Tennessee Music City Bowl betting preview is courtesy of Sportsbook.com, where the line was a PICK ‘EM and the total set at 50.5.
Two schools trying to end disappointing seasons on a high note meet in Nashville Thursday night for the Music City Bowl. Tennessee started the season 2-6, but had a perfect 4-0 November to reach its 49th bowl in school history. North Carolina has had a roller coaster season both on and off the field, with three straight ATS losses since the season’s high point -- a win at Florida State.
Tennessee freshman QB Tyler Bray has been excellent during the November win streak with 309 passing YPG, 12 TD and 4 INT. He will try to be the first to throw for 300 yards against Carolina this year. Since tossing four picks against Virginia Tech, UNC quarterback T.J. Yates is 61-for-79 (77%) for 631 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT in two games. He’s had to be good with a running game averaging just 99.8 YPG since RB Johnny White broke his collarbone. In each school’s past four games, UNC has just four takeaways while Tennessee has forced 15 turnovers.
Tennessee is 25-23 all-time in bowl games, including a 7-6 mark against ACC teams. North Carolina is 12-15 in its 27-game bowl history. The Tar Heels have not won a bowl since the 2001 Peach Bowl, losing three straight games since that victory.
Clemson’s 21-13 victory over Kentucky last year snapped a three-game winning streak for the SEC in this series. In the 12-year history of the Music City Bowl, the Underdog has a slight advantage (7-5 ATS) and the Under has been a more profitable play at 8-4. The past six games in this series have been decided by eight points or less.
Tennessee has dominated the series with North Carolina, going 20-10-1, but the schools haven’t met since 1961, a 22-21 win for UNC.
Butch Davis is 15-1 ATS (+13.9 Units) after outrushing opponent by 125 or more yards last game in all games he has coached since 1992. The average score was Davis 33.3, OPPONENT 17.2.
Sportsbook.com getting even action on game, as 52% backing the Volunteers.
