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The Virginia Cavaliers overcame being a touchdown underdog against the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, not only covering the spread, but winning outright by two touchdowns. As the Hoos look forward to this week’s matchup against the North Carolina Tar Heels, the odds setters out in Vegas have pinned Virginia as a 8.5-point favorite over the struggling Heels.
If you haven’t been following along, the Cavaliers have been really good this year against the spread. They’ve gone 6-1 against the spread, with the game at NC State being the only one they’ve failed to cover so far this year. Of the seven contests, Virginia’s been favored in just three of them, and has been dogs in four.
Virginia Football Against the Spread
| Date | Team | Closing Odds | Final Result | Against The Spread (Record ATS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Team | Closing Odds | Final Result | Against The Spread (Record ATS) |
| September 1 | Richmond | -14.5 | W 42-13 | W (1-0) |
| September 8 | @ Indiana | 5 | L 16-20 | W (2-0) |
| September 15 | Ohio | -4.5 | W 45-31 | W (3-0) |
| September 22 | Louisville | -4.5 | W 27-3 | W (4-0) |
| September 29 | @ NC State | 6.5 | L 21-35 | L (4-1) |
| October 13 | Miami | 7 | W 16-13 | W (5-1) |
| October 20 | @ Duke | 6.5 | W 28-14 | W (6-1) |
| October 27 | UNC | -8 | W 31-21 | W (7-1) |
| November 2 | Pittsburgh | -7 | L 13-23 | L (7-2) |
| November 10 | Liberty | -24 | W 45-24 | L (7-3) |
| November 17 | @ Georgia Tech | 6 | L 27-30 | W (8-3) |
| November 23 | @ Virginia Tech | -5 | L 31-34 | L (8-4) |
| December 29 | South Carolina (Belk Bowl) | 3.5 |
According to TeamRankings.com, only one other school in the country has had better success against the spread—Washington State, which is a perfect 7-0. Only three other Power 5 schools have a 6-1 record against the spread (Texas A&M, Iowa, and Florida).
Within the ACC, Boston College trails Virginia in ATS percentage, going 5-2 ATS. Syracuse, UNC, and Duke are the only other ACC programs above .500 against the spread.
North Carolina is 3-2-1 against the spread, pushing as a 3-point favorite over Pitt, and covering in each of its last two matchups, both three-point losses against Virginia Tech and Syracuse.
Kickoff is at 12:20 on Saturday in Scott Stadium. Stay tuned to STL for all of your coverage needs!