One of the most exciting, potentially offensive explosive bowl games is almost here with the Holiday Bowl being played Wednesday, Dec. 28, in San Diego, Calif. It pits the ACC versus the Pac-12 in a game with a hefty total of 75 points. The Holiday Bowl odds available at NC online sportsbooks across the country also show Oregon as a 13- or 13.5-point favorite over North Carolina.
The Oregon Ducks are 9-3 and averaging 39.7 points per game. The North Carolina Tar Heels are 9-4 and averaging 35 points per game.
While both teams also give up more than 27 points per game defensively. It would be surprising not to see both teams hit 30 points. Here is our full North Carolina bowl game preview.
Holiday Bowl Odds and Betting Preview
College bowl game odds in North Carolina have set the following lines for this year’s Holiday Bowl.
Tar Heels: 9-4 SU, 5-7-1 ATS, 6-7 O/U
Ducks: 9-3 SU, 8-4 ATS, 7-5 O/U
| Sportsbook | Spread | Moneyline | Total (Over/Under) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook NC | Ducks -13 (-115) Tar Heels +13 (-105) | Ducks -500 Tar Heels +400 | Over 75 Points (-110) Under 75 Points (-110) |
| Caesars Sportsbook NC | Ducks -13 (-110) Tar Heels +13 (-110) | Ducks -556 Tar Heels +400 | Over 75 Points (-110) Under 75 Points (-110) |
| FanDuel Sportsbook NC | Ducks -13.5 (-118) Tar Heels +13.5 (-104) | Ducks -550 Tar Heels +400 | Over 74.5 Points (-115) Under 74.5 Points (-105) |
Oregon is the big favorite in this game, and being a 13 to 13.5-point favorite is odd, as these two teams had the same regular season records. Each team has a star player opting out and a bunch of transfers. With North Carolina’s Drake Maye being one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season, don’t expect him to get beat by 13 points.
As mentioned, the offensive potential in this game is enormous, but the total points set at 75 points is crazy high. Yet would it be a surprise to see a game with both teams in the 40-points range? Offensive fireworks are almost assured. This is one game you won’t want to miss.
Look to the past: North Carolina Tar Heels bowl game history
North Carolina Post Season Awards
Here is a look at Tar Heels players who got ACC and National award recognition.
- QB Drake Maye: 1st Team All ACC, Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year
- WR Josh Downs: 1st Team All ACC
- LB Cedric Gray 1st Team All ACC
- CB Storm Duck 2nd Team All ACC
- WR Antoine Green 3rd Team All ACC
- OT Asim Richards 3rd Team All ACC
- P Ben Kiernan 3rd Team All ACC
- TE Bryson Nesbit Honorable Mention All ACC
- C Corey Gaynor Honorable Mention All ACC
- LB Power Echols Honorable Mention All ACC
Leaving money on the table: How much is NC missing out on by not having legal online sports betting?
Players for UNC and Oregon Not Playing in Holiday Bowl
A decade ago, it was rare, if not unheard of, for a player not to participate in their team’s bowl game. In today’s modern age of football and player empowerment, it is commonplace for players to skip their team’s bowl game.
Typically there are two reasons, the first being the player opting out because they are going pro and the second being that the player is transferring. Of course, there are injuries, too, but that is par for the course in football.
UNC Players Not Playing in Holiday Bowl:
- WR Josh Downs: Opt-out
- QB Jacoby Criswell: Transfer portal
- RB Devon Lawrence: Transfer portal
- DT Jahlil Taylor: Transfer portal
- DT Keeshawn Silver: Transfer portal
- EDGE Chris Collins: Transfer portal
- LB Raneiria Dillworth: Transfer portal
- CB Tony Grimes: Transfer portal
- CB Storm Duck: Transfer portal
- CB Dontae Balfour: Transfer portal
- S Cam’Ron Kelly: Transfer portal
- K Jonathan Kim: Transfer portal
- RB Caleb Hood: Injury
- RB British Brooks: Injury
- LB Sebastian Cheeks: Injury
- LB Noah Taylor: Injury
The Tar Heels’ most significant playing decision in this game was Drake Maye deciding to stay at North Carolina as many speculated he would seek a bigger football program after an excellent freshman season.
Where can you wager?: Gambling options in and near North Carolina
Oregon Players Not Playing in Holiday Bowl:
- CB Christian Gonzalez: Opt-out
- QB Jay Butterfield: Transfer portal
- RB Byron Cardwell: Transfer portal
- RB Sean Dollars: Transfer portal
- WR Seven McGee: Transfer portal
- WR Dont’e Thornton: Transfer portal
- TE Terrell Tilmon: Transfer portal
- OT Bram Walden: Transfer portal
- OT Dawson Jaramillo: Transfer portal
- DE Bradyn Swinson: Transfer portal
- LB Justin Flowe: Transfer portal
- LB Jackson LaDuke: Transfer portal
- LB Adrian Jackson: Transfer portal
While North Carolina will miss having Downs at WR, Oregon will equally miss its star cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman
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