Louisville Cardinals vs North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction, 11/14/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Louisville Cardinals vs North Carolina Tar Heels

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Location: Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Tar Heels (+3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 59

The North Carolina Tar Heels (5-4) will take on the Louisville Cardinals (6-3) at Kenan Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Louisville opens this game as 3.5-point favorites from oddsmakers. The total is set at 59.

The Louisville Cardinals come into this game with a record of 6-3 for this year. In their last contest, the Cardinals played against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and took home the win by a score of 44-17. When it came to stopping the run, the Cardinals conceded 109 yds on 32 tries, which is an average of 3.4 yds per run allowed. Louisville gave up 25 pass completions on 45 attempts for 241 yards, and a completion rate of 55.6%. In all, they ran 62 plays which totaled 456 yards. The Louisville Cardinals ran the football 36 times and compiled 251 yards, which came out to an average of 7.0 yards per carry.

When talking about putting the ball in the endzone, the Louisville Cardinals hold an average of 40.8 points per game. As a unit they're holding an average of 228.0 yards rushing ranking them 8th in college football. The Cardinals have attained 4,393 yards in total over the course of this season. When it comes to scoring, Louisville has compiled 15 touchdowns through the air and 32 touchdowns via the ground. Louisville has earned 197 first downs offensively, and they have been hurt by 64 penalties for 649 yards. They have surrendered the football 8 different times.

When it comes to yards through the air, the Cardinals have given up 2,393 yds which has them sitting in 130th in the country. They have allowed 265.9 yards per outing through the air and conceding a completion percentage of 60.3%. In total, they are surrendering 404.4 yards/game which ranks them 112th in college football. They have yielded 17 touchdowns via the pass and 10 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are giving up 3.7 yards per running attempt and 138.6 rushing yards per game for the campaign. During this campaign, they have conceded 1,247 rushing yards through 9 games. The Cardinals sit in 78th in Division 1 regarding the opposition scoring, giving up 25.9 PPG.

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The Tar Heels head into this game 5-4 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Tar Heels walked away with a victory by a final of 38-21 when they faced the Connecticut Huskies. The Tar Heels finished the game with 419 yards while running 74 plays (5.7 yds per play). North Carolina ran the football for 4.6 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 164 yards on 36 attempts. North Carolina relinquished 31 attempts on the ground for 123 yds (4.0 yds per rush). The Tar Heels passing defense gave up a completion rate of 48.6%, surrendering 245 yards on 17 for 35 passing.

The North Carolina Tar Heels have an average of 353.0 yards per contest, which has them sitting 100th in D-1. The North Carolina offense has accrued 309 penalty yds on 40 violations, which has them sitting 130th in the country in terms of hurting your team. They maintain an average of 114.2 yards per game on the ground and have toted the ball for 1,028 yards for the year. They have thrown 6 interceptions while losing 6 fumbles and they have obtained 186 1st downs. When it comes to the points being put on the board, the Tar Heels are ranked 75th in the country by tallying 27.1 PPG. Over the course of the season thus far, the Tar Heels have compiled 2,149 yards through the air as well as an average of 238.8 passing yards per game, which ranks 55th in the nation.

The Tar Heels are giving up 22.8 points per contest, which has them ranked 52nd in the country. North Carolina has given up a total of 1,348 yards via the ground game (149.8 yards per contest) in addition to 11 touchdowns rushing for the season. They have allowed 13 touchdowns through the air as well as 227.2 yards per game, which has them sitting 91st in the nation. The Tar Heels defense has taken part in 645 plays, which is 126th in the nation. They have 4 fumbles and 7 picks for the season. Overall, they have given up 205 total points.

Who will win tonight's Cardinals/Tar Heels college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Cardinals -3.5

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