UNC vs. Cal: Preview, broadcast information, prediction and more

UNC will open up their 2017 season hosting the Cal Golden Bears in Chapel Hill

It’s finally here.

The college football season is back and that means the North Carolina Tar Heels are hitting the field to open up the 2017 season.

UNC will host Cal on September 2, as part of a home-and-home series the two teams scheduled a few years back. It will be the third-straight year the Tar Heels will open up against a Power 5 school, but they are seeking their first season opening win against a Power 5 school since 1997.

Both teams enter the game with plenty of question marks, specifically on the offensive side of the ball.

UNC has yet to name the winner of the quarterback battle between Brandon Harris,  Nathan Elliott and Chazz Surratt, leaving the question of who to start still looming.

Fedora spoke to the media on Monday and didn’t provide an update on the battle but did hint that the Tar Heels could use as many as three quarterbacks in a game.

On Saturday we will find out what the Tar Heels will do.

As for Cal, they are also entering with plenty of questions on their offense. The team named redshirt sophomore quarterback Ross Bowers the starter as he’s sat behind both Jared Goff and Davis Webb the previous two seasons.

The Golden Bears enter the game with just one returning starter on their offensive line, so it’s something to keep an eye on throughout the game.

UNC’s defense should be able to get some pressure on the Golden Bears early, which could help disrupt Bowers’ rhythm. The Cal offense will likely open the game trying to move the ball through the air.

But UNC’s defense, specifically their secondary, is a big strength of their game.

The Tar Heels defense is led by senior cornerback M.J. Stewart who is one leader, along with linebacker Andre Smith.

Safety Myles Dorn is entering his second year and is expected to breakout as he flashed some potential during his freshman season. With Dorn and Stewart back in the secondary, the Tar Heels could cause fits for Cal’s passing attack.

UNC key to the game

The play of the quarterback(s) will be key for UNC early on. No matter who the starter is, the Tar Heels offense needs to come out and have a good first series.

Get those jitters out of the way and play ball.

UNC is inexperienced at most positions on the offense, so a good start early on could go a long way in the game. We’d like to see UNC come out early and punch Cal right in the mouth with a long scoring drive.

Cal key to the game

Getting Bowers in the right situations early will pay dividends for the Golden Bears.

The quarterback is making his first career start on Saturday and will go up against a good UNC secondary. Bowers will be playing behind a line that only returns their center as a starter, so he could face some pressure early on.

If Bowers can get into a good rhythm, the Golden Bears will keep UNC on its toes all game. But if UNC makes it difficult early, the Golden Bears could be in for a long day in Chapel Hill.

One question we’d like to see answered

Who will step up at wide receiver for UNC? The Tar Heels lost top receivers Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins and Bug Howard last season and will restart with a new receiving core for the most part.

Austin Proehl and Thomas Jackson are the veterans on the receiving unit but who else will contribute?

We’d love to see one of the other receivers step up and have a big game for the Tar Heels sooner rather than later.

Now, who will it be?

What you need to know

WHAT? Cal 0-0 (O-0 PAC-12) @ UNC 0-0 (0-0 ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, September 2 at 12:20 p.m. ET
WHERE? Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC Network. Tom Werme (play-by=play) Dave Archer (analyst) and D.J. Shockley (sideline)
RADIO? Tar Heel Sports Network. Jones Angell (play-by-play), Brian Simmons (analyst) and Lee Pace (sideline)
WEATHER? There’s a 50 percent chance of rain Saturday with AM thunderstorms. The temperature at kickoff will be 78 degrees with 72 percent humidity according to Weather.com.
LINE? UNC – 12.5
ALL-TIME SERIES? First game in series.
PREDICTION? UNC 31, Cal 24.