The North Carolina Tar Heels (3-5) host an ACC battle against the Stanford Cardinal (3-6) on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Kenan Stadium.

The Cardinal are expected to lose by at least a touchdown (currently +7.5) versus the Tar Heels (with an over/under of 42.5 points).

Read on for our preview for this this matchup between the Tar Heels and the Cardinal, and find all of our expert picks here, too!

North Carolina vs. Stanford betting lines

• Spread favorite: Tar Heels (-7.5)
• Moneyline: Tar Heels (-302), Cardinal (+244)
• Total: 42.5 points
• TV Channel: CW (WGN – Chicago)
• Live Stream: Fubo

North Carolina vs. Stanford betting info and stats

North Carolina is 5-3-0 against the spread through eight opportunities so far this season. North Carolina has always covered the spread when it served as favorites by at least 7.5 points (a 2-0 ATS record). North Carolina won both of the games it has played as the moneyline favorite this season. Stanford, in nine games with a set spread this season, has gone 2-7-0 against the spread. When Stanford is an underdog of 7.5 or more points, it is 2-5 ATS. Stanford has a 2-6 record this year in games it hs been moneyline underdogs.

North Carolina vs. Stanford recent stats and trends

North Carolina Tar Heels

• North Carolina has covered the spread in each of its past three games while going 1-2 overall.
• North Carolina and its opponents did not combine to hit the over in any of those games.
• North Carolina’s past three outings have ended with an average of 47.8 points scored. That’s 5.3 more points than this contest’s over/under.

Stanford Cardinal

• Stanford has covered the spread once in its past three contests while putting up a 1-2 record straight-up in those games.
• Stanford and its opponents have hit the over two times in those games.
• The past three Stanford games averaged 8.0 more points (50.5) than this matchup’s over/under.

North Carolina vs. Stanford key players

North Carolina Tar Heels

• Gio Lopez has thrown for 1,021 yards (145.9 ypg) to lead North Carolina, completing 63.1% of his passes and recording six touchdown passes compared to five interceptions this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 125 rushing yards on 57 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
• Demon June has carried the ball 64 times for a team-high 416 yards (59.4 per game) with two scores. He has also caught 12 passes for 117 yards and one receiving touchdown.
• Benjamin Hall has carried the ball 50 times for 203 yards (29.0 per game) and two touchdowns.
• Jordan Shipp’s 384 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 48 times and has totaled 35 receptions and three touchdowns.
• Kobe Paysour has hauled in 14 receptions totaling 231 yards, finding the end zone one time as a receiver so far this campaign.
• Melkart Abou-Jaoude has 7.0 sacks to lead the team, and also has 6.0 TFL and 24 tackles.
• Khmori House, North Carolina’s tackle leader, has 44 tackles and 1.0 TFL this year.
• Kaleb Cost has picked off a team-leading one pass. He also has 35 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one pass defended to his name.

Stanford Cardinal

• Ben Gulbranson has thrown for 1,813 yards on 56.9% passing while tossing nine touchdown passes with 10 interceptions this season.
• Micah Ford is his team’s leading rusher with 99 carries for 425 yards, or 60.7 per game. He’s found the end zone three times on the ground, as well. Ford has also chipped in with eight catches for 77 yards.
• Cole Tabb has racked up 368 yards on 95 carries with two touchdowns.
• CJ Williams has racked up 598 receiving yards on 47 receptions to pace his squad so far this season while scoring four touchdowns as a receiver.
• Bryce Farrell has caught 26 passes and compiled 421 receiving yards (52.6 per game) with one touchdown.
• Sam Roush has racked up 409 reciving yards (45.4 ypg) and two touchdowns this season.
• Clay Patterson has 3.5 sacks to lead the team, and also has 2.0 TFL and 20 tackles.
• Stanford’s tackle leader, Matt Rose, has 64 tackles, 4.0 TFL, and one sack this year.
• Brandon Nicholson leads the team with two interceptions, while also collecting seven tackles and two passes defended.