Every North Carolina Tar Heel football fan should be excited for the upcoming season, starting with Thursday, August 29 circled in their calendars.
On this date, UNC kicks off its 2024 campaign against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. North Carolina and Minnesota had never played until Week 3 last year, when Drake Maye threw for over 400 yards in a 31-13, home Tar Heels victory.
This year, UNC heads up to Minneapolis for an end-of-summer clash. I imagine the crowd will be rowdy and, while it won’t be cold yet, kick-off temperatures to be cooler than the sweltering North Carolina heat.
After beginning their season on the road, the Tar Heels return to Kenan Stadium and host UNC-Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 7. This kicks off a slate of three consecutive, winnable home games for UNC, with nearby North Carolina Central visiting on Sept. 14 and James Madison coming to town Sept. 21.
North Carolina ends September on the road, heading to archrival Duke on Saturday, Sept. 28, looking for its sixth-consecutive Victory Bell. The Tar Heels then host Pitt (Oct. 5) and – uh-oh – Georgia Tech (Oct. 12) – before taking a much-needed off week.
After its first bye week, UNC plays two consecutive road games at Virginia (Oct. 26) and Florida State (Nov. 2). The Tar Heels will look to avenge last year’s embarrassing loss to the Cavaliers, while grabbing their first win against the Seminoles since 2016.
After its second bye week, North Carolina returns to Kenan Stadium and hosts Pitt on Saturday, Nov. 16. UNC’s final road game is at Boston College on Nov. 23, then its final regular season game is against rival NC State on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Kenan Stadium.
Let’s rank each of the opponents on UNC’s scheduling – from easiest to toughest.
North Carolina Central University Eagles
Sep 16, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; North Carolina Central Eagles quarterback Walker Harris (3) throws against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina Central enjoyed yet another strong season last year, going 9-3 and making the playoffs, but it also plays at the FCS level. There are plenty of strong FCS teams, but they tend to struggle when playing Power 5 programs (just see UNC-Campbell last year).
UNC-Charlotte
Sep 9, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Charlotte 49ers linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) reacts after stoping Maryland Terrapins offense on third down during the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Charlotte 49ers’ football program hasn’t found much on-field success since re-starting in 2013, with just one winning season (7-6 in 2019).
Last season was a continuation of UNC-Charlotte’s misery, as it won just three games for the second straight season. The 49ers finished 3-9 (2-6) under first-year head coach Biff Poggi, with their lone wins coming against South Carolina State, Tulsa and East Carolina.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Delaware’s Troy Reeder (left) and Cam Kitchen bring down Wake Forest’s Rocky Reid in the third quarter of the Demon Deacons’ 38-21 win at Wake Forest Saturday.
Wake Forest’s first year in the post-Sam Hartman era was a rough one, as it finished in the ACC cellar at 4-8 (1-7). The Demon Deacons’ lone win was on Saturday, Oct. 21 against the Pitt Panthers.
I see Wake Forest having a bounce-back season, as 2023 was just the third time it missed a bowl game under head coach Dave Clawson, but UNC will take care of business against its in-state rivals.
James Madison Dukes
Dec 23, 2023; Fort Worth, TX, USA; James Madison Dukes quarterback Jordan McCloud (2) drops back to pass during the third quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
James Madison was one of the better Group of 5 teams last season, compiling an 11-2 (7-1) record in the Sun Belt conference. The Dukes looked on track to win the Sun Belt, until App State spoiled their undefeated season on Nov. 18.
JMU is a phenomenal model of consistent success, with last year being its 20th-consecutive winning season. I don’t see that changing for the Dukes, who could easily play spoiler in Chapel Hill on Sept. 21.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Sep 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) leaps over a tackle attempt by /pit14d/ during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. The Tar Heels won 41-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Panthers finished with just a 3-9 (2-8) record last season, dealing with multiple starting quarterbacks and an inconsistent offense. One of Pitt’s losses came on Saturday, Sept. 23 against North Carolina, which dominated in a 41-24 victory.
University of Virginia
Oct 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) runs after a catch as Virginia Cavaliers safety Jonas Sanker (20) forces him out of bounds in the second half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
The University of Virginia does not have a good football team, but for whatever reason, it always seems to beat North Carolina.
UVA snapped the Tar Heels 6-game winning streak last year, which sent the Tar Heels into a tailspin. To make matters worse, the Cavaliers only won one more game after beating UNC.
UVA wound up finishing 2023 with a 3-9 (2-6) record. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cavaliers win the rematch, but North Carolina could channel its 2023 disappointment into motivation.
Duke Blue Devils
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) catches the ball as Duke Blue Devils safety Jaylen Stinson (2) defends to set up a field goal attempt at the end of the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Last season was a special one for the Duke Blue Devils, who kicked off their 2023 campaign with a dominating, 28-7 upset victory over then-ninth-ranked Clemson. The Tigers weren’t as good as many expected, finishing 4-4 in ACC play, but that’s no discounting arguably the biggest win in Duke’s football history.
North Carolina nearly lost to its archrivals last year, but eked out a 47-45 win in double-overtime. That was UNC’s last win of the 2023 campaign.
The Blue Devils lost Riley Leonard and a significant crop of players in the offseason, so I don’t expect them to be nearly as good. Duke did add Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy in the transfer portal, though, so he could help his teammates to a couple wins.
Boston College Golden Eagles
Boston College’s Kye Robichaux stiff-arms SMU’s Alexander Kilgore during the second annual Wasabi Fenway Bowl vs. SMU at Fenway Park on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Boston College only won three games in ACC play last year, but seven games overall. The Golden Eagles captured their first bowl game victory since 2014, winning a rainy Fenway Bowl over new ACC school Southern Methodist (SMU), in their home city.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Sep 16, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver J.J. Jones (5) catches the ball as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive backs Tre’Von Jones (2) and Tyler Nubin (27) and Justin Walley (5) defend in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
I think the outcome of last year’s UNC-Minnesota game could’ve solely been influenced by location. North Carolina won 31-13 on Saturday, Sept. 16 in Kenan Stadium, while this year’s content will take place in Minneapolis.
The Golden Gophers finished their 2023 campaign 6-7 (3-6), losing their final three regular season games, but ended by beating Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl. Minnesota’s 2023 starting quarterback, Athas Kaliakmanis, is now playing at Rutgers. The Golden Gophers do bring back budding star running back Darius Taylor, who showcased Omarion Hampton-level stardom.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: British Brooks #24 of the North Carolina Tar Heels is tackled by LaMiles Brooks #1 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Georgia Tech enjoyed a major rebound year in 2023, compiling a 7-6 (5-3) season to finish fourth in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets’ successful campaign, which included yet another win over UNC, ended in a Gasparilla Bowl victory.
Georgia Tech and former Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King play North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Chapel Hill. I think the Yellow Jackets win yet again.
NC State Wolfpack
Nov 25, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack receiver KC Concepcion (10) runs after a catch against North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Will Hardy (31) during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
NC State finished 2023 ranked for the second time in three seasons, a telling sign that Dave Doeren is one of the ACC’s best coaches. UVA transfer Brennan Armstrong led the Wolfpack to a 9-4 (6-2) record, including a 39-20 domination of UNC.
Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall gets his crack at the Tar Heels on Saturday, Nov. 30 over Thanksgiving weekend, when NC State comes to Kenan Stadium.
Florida State Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles running back Trey Benson (3) gets tackled from behind as he runs down the field. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Louisville Cardinals 16-6 to claim the ACC Championship title in Charlotte, North Carolina on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.
There was a bunch of drama surrounding the College Football Playoff last season, with a majority of that drama dealing with the Florida State Seminoles.
FSU finished the regular season undefeated at 13-0 (8-0 ACC), but got left out of the CFP. The selection committee deemed its decision due to the injury of starting quarterback Jordan Travis. Alabama made the CFP instead, which proved to be a wise decision, while the Seminoles got stomped by Georgia.
I see FSU, once again, being atop the ACC and winning a second-consecutive conference championship. One of the Seminoles wins will come against UNC on Saturday, Nov. 2 inside a rowdy Doak Campbell Stadium.
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Publish date : 2024-07-08 08:00:00
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