Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football: Ranking the 2020 ACC opponents for the Tar Heels

By Richard Adkins

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 24-20 in the Belk College Kickoff game at Bank of America Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 24-20 in the Belk College Kickoff game at Bank of America Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Sam Howell #7 of the University of North Carolina drops back to pass during a game between University of Virginia and University of North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 02: Sam Howell #7 of the University of North Carolina drops back to pass during a game between University of Virginia and University of North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

2. Virginia Cavaliers (Road)

Next up on the list, we have the second-toughest team the Heels will meet: The Virginia Cavaliers led by head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

A game of redemption for the Heels as they face the Cavaliers, a team that won 38-31 holding the Heels to 0 points in the 4th quarter. A long , historic battle between these two schools has been in the Cavaliers favor as late as they are on a 3 game win streak against the Heels.

Virginia will be the hardest road test the Heels face as they look to build off their 9-5 overall and 6-3 conference record before losing to Clemson in the ACC championship game last season.

The Cavaliers will be taking a humongous hit, being without single-season passing and career for total offensive yards holder Bryce Perkins, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Perkins was truly unstoppable last season against the Heels where he threw for 378 yards with 3 touchdowns, and ran for 112 yards with 2 rushing touchdowns.

Expect Carolina to be able to stop the offense of the Cavilers much better as the Cavilers decide between Keytaon Thompson and Brennan Armstrong for the starting quarterback job. This possibly can be game of the year for the Heels as Mack Brown tries to coach the team into snapping the Cavaliers 3 game win streak.

CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 07: Nick Polino #58 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dives for a fumble forced by Te’von Coney #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the game at Kenan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 07: Nick Polino #58 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dives for a fumble forced by Te’von Coney #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the game at Kenan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

1. Notre Dame (Home)

Coming in at No. 1, the biggest threat to Carolina this season is Notre Dame led by head coach Brian Kelly.

Notre Dame, a team that is nationally ranked every year, found themselves in a weird place when all the conferences in college football went to conference-only games. Luckily for Notre Dame, the  ACC welcomed the football program into the mix despite their independent status when it comes to conference play.

The Fighting Irish will be the biggest test for Carolina. Notre Dame has to be considered as one of the favorites to play in an ACC championship game versus expected top-ranked Clemson after finishing the season ranked 11th in AP polls. Notre Dame went 11-2 last season completely dominating teams like #21 Navy winning 52-20 while competing with the very best like #3 Georgia, losing 23-17.

Despite the impressive record and dominating play, the Fighting Irish did get exposed by Michigan when the Wolverines blew them out 45-14 in a heavy run game that totaled 303 yards on the ground opening up the passing game to throw 3 touchdowns without an interception. This run-heavy and pass second attack is one Mack Brown implemented a ton last season and could work against such a tough foe.

This will be the game to watch and a win for the Heels here could ultimately be what has them playing in the ACC championship game.

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