Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football vs. Duke: Game preview, info, prediction and more

By Zack Pearson

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 05: Michael Carter #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels is tackled by David Curry #6 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 05: Michael Carter #8 of the North Carolina Tar Heels is tackled by David Curry #6 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The UNC Football program will look to retain the Victory Bell from Duke for the first time in the second stint for Mack Brown

The North Carolina Tar Heels have put themselves in a tough spot to win the Coastal Division in the Atlantic Coast Conference after dropping a road game at Virginia Tech. Following the disappointing loss, UNC has to win out essentially to win the division.

They have a tough two-game stretch here beginning Saturday with Duke at home before hosting Virginia the following week. But right now, the Tar Heels have to take this one game at a time and make sure they get the win against their rival this week.

The Blue Devils enter this game following a big loss to Virginia last week but have beat North Carolina three-straight years. Duke has held that Victory Bell since 2016, pulling off the upset vs. the Tar Heels with Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback.

For UNC, not only do they want to get back in the win column but they want that Victory Bell back in Chapel Hill. A win over their rivals would go a long way into getting the spirits back up again and giving them a chance at the Coastal.

Let’s get into our game preview.

Key to Victory for UNC

Better play-calling. One of our biggest frustrations from the loss to Virginia Tech was the play-calling as well as the clock management. It’s one of the reasons why the Tar Heels lost vs the Hokies as they couldn’t execute, get the play-calling straight or manage the clock well.

UNC had way too many chances to win that game and couldn’t take advantage.

Chances are in this game, the Tar Heels will have some more chances to capitalize on and they need to make sure they do that. UNC enters this game as the better team but they need to stick to their game-plan that Mack Brown and Phil Longo have.

I’d like to see them open it up more with Sam Howell, especially in the second half. For whatever reason, Longo appears to hold back a bit in terms of being aggressive and instead gets too conservative. Open it up more and let Howell do his thing.

Something to watch for UNC

Outside of the play-calling and clock management, look at the play of the secondary for the Tar Heels. Not only are they banged up in the secondary but they are hurting all over the defense going into this game. Jason Strowbridge left last week’s loss against the Hokies and it impacted the Tar Heels’ pass rush.

With no pass rush and a depleted secondary, it could open up some things for the Duke passing attack.

There is some talent in this secondary for UNC but they are young. They have freshmen Storm Duck and Obi Egbuna getting reps as well as junior Greg Ross. UNC has been bit by that injury bug with the latest player, Trey Morrison, being ruled out indefinitely. This is another chance for this secondary to gain some experience and show up big in this rivalry game.

Next. Sam Howell earns ACC Honors. dark

What you need to know

WHAT?  Duke Blue Devils 4-3 (2-2 ACC) AT North Carolina Tar Heels 3-4 (2-2 ACC)
WHEN?  Saturday,  October 16, 3:30 p.m. EST
WHERE?  Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACCN Extra
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Cloudy with a high of 74.
LINE? UNC -4
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads 58-36-4
LAST MEETING? Duke beat UNC 42-35 in 2018.
PREDICTION? UNC 33, Duke 24

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