Miami Hurricanes defeat North Carolina Tar Heels 38-35: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sat, Oct 31, 2026 · NCAAF · Miami Hurricanes 38, North Carolina Tar Heels 35
The Miami Hurricanes beat the North Carolina Tar Heels 38-35 on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Kenan Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels covered the spread as 13.5-point underdogs. The game went over the closing total of 52.5, with 73 points combined. AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
Miami Hurricanes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels final score and game recap
The Miami Hurricanes led 7-0 after the first quarter and 17-14 at halftime. The second half was even at 21-21. The Miami Hurricanes led at the end of every quarter.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Darian Mensah (Miami Hurricanes): 22/29 passing for 274 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- Malachi Toney (Miami Hurricanes): 7 catches for 75 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns.
- Billy Edwards Jr. (North Carolina Tar Heels): 28/34 passing for 341 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- Jelani Thurman (North Carolina Tar Heels): 5 catches for 70 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns.
Who covered the spread in Miami Hurricanes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels?
The North Carolina Tar Heels covered the spread as 13.5-point underdogs, losing by 3 points.
The spread opened at Miami Hurricanes -14 and closed at Miami Hurricanes -13.5.
Did Miami Hurricanes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels go over or under the total?
The game went over: 73 points combined against a closing total of 52.5, over by 20.5. 31 of the 73 points came in the first half.
The total opened and closed at 52.5.
How did AiQ's Miami Hurricanes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels predictions do?
AiQ's moneyline pick in this game won.
- Moneyline: the Miami Hurricanes to win at -550, a win (+$18.18 on a $100 bet).
Miami Hurricanes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels game prop results: team totals, first half and first quarter
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- Miami Hurricanes team total 33.5: the over, paying -115, with 38 scored.
- First-half spread: North Carolina Tar Heels +6.5 covered, paying -105.
- North Carolina Tar Heels team total 18.5: the over, paying -118, with 35 scored.
- First-half moneyline: Miami Hurricanes won the first half, paying -350.
- First-quarter moneyline: Miami Hurricanes won the first quarter, paying -265.
- First-half total 27.5: the over, paying -105, with 31 points scored.
- First-quarter total 10.5: the under, paying -135, with 7 points scored.
Miami Hurricanes vs. North Carolina Tar Heels odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Miami Hurricanes at -600 and the North Carolina Tar Heels at +410. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Miami Hurricanes a 81% favorite. The Miami Hurricanes won as the favorite at -600: $16.67 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the Miami Hurricanes, the price before the game was -550: priced near fair (+0.3% value).
The spread moved toward the North Carolina Tar Heels between the open and the close, and they covered.
Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Miami Hurricanes 8-0 in the 2026 regular season (4-0 at home, 4-0 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 4 of 7 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 6 times and under 1 time. That made it eight straight wins for the Miami Hurricanes.
This result left the North Carolina Tar Heels 4-4 in the 2026 regular season (1-3 at home, 3-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 5 of 8 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 4 times and under 4 times. That made it two straight losses for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
What's next for Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels?
Next for the Miami Hurricanes: at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Next for the North Carolina Tar Heels: at the UConn Huskies on Saturday, November 7, 2026.