Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Football: The 5 toughest games of 2016

By Eric D. Kennedy

Nov 14, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan (8) dives for a touchdown in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back T.J. Logan (8) dives for a touchdown in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Quinshad Davis (14) signals to his quarterback during the second half of a football game against the Baylor Bears at Florida Citrus Bowl.Baylor won 49-38. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Quinshad Davis (14) signals to his quarterback during the second half of a football game against the Baylor Bears at Florida Citrus Bowl.Baylor won 49-38. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

#1 The Florida State Seminoles 

2015 Record – 10-3 (6-2)

Last Meeting – UNC 37 – FSU 35 (2010)

All-Time Record – FSU Leads @ 15-2-1

ESPN Way-Too-Early Ranking – 4th

Analysis

Game Time: TBA

Date: Saturday – Saturday, October 1st

Location: Florida State

This. Is. It.

If the Tar Heels want to become contenders in college football, this is a must win game for the program. Much like LeBron getting over the hump and bringing a championship to Cleveland, this is the game that the Tar Heels must win if they want to build upon their recent success. The Tar Heels are currently on the outside looking in, in terms of being considered a national contender, and this game could very well change that perception.

Although losing to a top 5 opponent will not hurt the Tar Heels, the odds of them making the playoffs will greatly diminish. With a win over a top 5 opponent as well as another win over what would at least be a top 10 opponent in the ACC championship game, the committee could not simply look over the Tar Heels this year.

In any other year, it would probably be okay if the Tar Heels lost a close game to a top 5 opponent, but not this year. With 2 FCS opponents on the schedule, and UNC’s blowout loss to Baylor to finish the season, the Heels must capitalize on this opportunity.

This is a big year for the Tar Heels and a must win game. Look for UNC to shock the world.

 Way-Too-Early Prediction 

UNC 28

FSU 27

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