Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CFB Picks, CFB Free Picks, CFB Predictions 11/8/25
- rbowe7447
- Nov 8
- 3 min read
STANFORD @ NORTH CAROLINA (UNC -7.5, 42.5)
In what has been a difficult season, North Carolina may be in a position to pick up some steam. On Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Tar Heels will take on Stanford in an attempt to win back-to-back Atlantic Coast Conference games.
After defeating Syracuse 27-10 last Friday to end a four-game losing streak, North Carolina (3-5, 1-3) will look to gain momentum. Last Saturday, Pitt defeated Stanford (3-6, 2-4) 35–20.
Both Stanford interim coach Frank Reich (Carolina, Indianapolis) and North Carolina's Bill Belichick (New England, Cleveland in the NFL) are former NFL head coaches.
"Some familiar faces this week with Frank and (Stanford general manager) Andrew Luck," Belichick stated. At a different time and place, those guys were difficult to compete with.
The coaching relationships are not being given much thought by either man.
"The last thing in the world this is about is any kind of matchups that we've had," Reich stated. "Our team and its players are all that matter to me. The welfare of this team is my sole source of motivation.
Reich declared that redshirt freshman Elijah Brown would start at quarterback in place of Ben Gulbranson, citing a "gut feeling" behind the decision.
"Obviously a tough decision because Ben has done some really good things this year," Reich stated.
Brown has thrown for one touchdown in his three games this season. Against Pitt, he entered the game late.
"I think Elijah is very instinctive at the position, very accurate passer," Reich stated.
There isn't much footage of Brown to examine, according to Belichick.
Reich stated that returning to a balanced attack is one of Stanford's goals. North Carolina's defense is getting better, so the Cardinals may have a chore.
Reich remarked, "Obviously a well-schemed defense," "You know when you go up against Coach Belichick and anything that he's involved with defensively there's kind of a game-by-game game-planning thing."
Demon June, a freshman running back who recorded his second game with over 100 rushing yards against Syracuse, has helped North Carolina's offense. Against the Orange, he gained 81 of his 117 receiving yards this season.
Stanford is 0–5 away from home and will play in its road finale.
FREE PICK: NORTH CAROLINA -6.5
The Tar Heels defense has stepped up as of late, allowing just 16 points per game over the last three games. Stanford's offense leaves a lot to be desired. The Cardinal rank 127th in the nation in scoring, averaging just 17.8 points per game. They have yet to win a road game and both times that they traveled to the East Coast, Stanford lost by margin - at Virginia 48-20 and at Miami 42-7.
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