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UNC Football vs. Clemson: Preview, prediction, game info and more

By Zack Pearson

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers drops back to pass against the Texas A&M Aggies during their game at Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers drops back to pass against the Texas A&M Aggies during their game at Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Can the UNC Football program pull off the shocking upset in Chapel Hill on Saturday afternoon? We take a look with our game preview

The North Carolina Tar Heels have a tall task ahead of them. And we really mean tall.

After dropping back-to-back games to Appalachian State and Wake Forest to move to 2-2 on the season, Saturday will certainly be UNC’s biggest test yet. The Tar Heels will welcome in the No. 1 team in the nation and the defending national champions Clemson into Chapel Hill for an Atlantic Coast Conference showdown.

Clemson is the class of college football right now and is off to another impressive 4-0 start on the season. They are led by head coach Dabo Swinney as well as sophomore sensation quarterback Trevor Lawrence. They also enter this game as 28.5-point favorites over the Tar Heels, as Vegas expects a route.

But can UNC pull off the unthinkable?

Well, to do so the Tar Heels are going to need to play their absolute best and then some in this one. Clemson is the favorite to win it all again this season and are stacked at every position across the board. For a team like UNC that is still rebuilding, just staying in this game should be a confidence booster for the program.

True freshman Sam Howell will get his biggest test of the season as well. Clemson’s defense is fantastic, boosted by a really good defensive line and a stout secondary. Howell is going to have to protect the football and make the right decisions if UNC wants any chance at upsetting the Tigers.

The other factor going against UNC is the injury bug. The Tar Heels will be without some key players on Saturday and if tackle Charlie Heck can’t go, it could be a long day for the offensive line.

Against App. State, the Tar Heels offensive line struggled and even gave up a strip-sack that was returned for a touchdown. Clemson’s defensive line is far better than the Mountaineers, so UNC might have to use some quick throws to offset that advantage for the Tigers.

We will see how the injuries plague this Tar Heels team as they are not very deep.

Let’s get into our key factors:

Key to the Game for UNC

Protect the football and hang in there. The longer UNC can hang in this game without being blown out, the better their chances get. Easier said than done, however.

The Tar Heels are going to need everything clicking and a great gameplan to pull off the upset on Saturday. If Howell can protect the football and make plays, UNC will have a chance. Sustaining drives and giving your defense a break will help, and it will also help control the time of possession, keeping the Tigers offense off the field as much as possible.

On defense, the Tar Heels are going to need to limit Clemson’s offense as much as possible. Getting off the field is key and finding ways to force takeaways could lead to some success.

Something to watch

UNC’s run game. I mentioned above that the Tar Heels offense needs to stay on the field for long scoring drives to give them any chance of winning this game. That’s where the run game comes in.

Michael Carter has struggled of late but this is the perfect chance for him to get going again. If he can have a big game it should only compliment what Javonte Williams can do.

Williams has been fantastic this season, recording 299 rushing yards and 5.9 yards per attempt with one touchdown. He’s been the workhorse so far and now has the chance to introduce himself to the national audience with this game.

Get that run game going, find the end zone, take the pressure off Howell and keep Clemson’s offense off the field. Easier said than done, however.

What you need to know

WHAT?  Clemson Tigers 4-0 (2-0 in ACC) AT North Carolina Tar Heels 2-2 (1-0 ACC)
WHEN?  Saturday,  September 28, 3:30 p.m. EST
WHERE?  Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ABC
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? High of 90 degrees and sunny.
LINE? Clemson – 28.5
ALL-TIME SERIES? Clemson leads 37-19-1
LAST MEETING? Clemson beat UNC 45-37 in 2015 ACC Championship Game
PREDICTION? Clemson 46, UNC 17

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