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

Can the UNC Football program get back on track this week? A date with rival Duke is ahead and it’s a game the Tar Heels need to win

The UNC Football program returns to the field this weekend and they will take on rival Duke in the battle for the Victory Bell. But this game may mean a lot more than just beating their hated rival in Durham.

UNC is fresh off a disappointing loss at Virginia on Halloween, their second loss of the season to date. With that loss, UNC has fallen behind in the Atlantic Coast Conference race and really needs to win out to have a shot. Their slim hopes of reaching a big bowl game are there but again, a win-out scenario is more likely.

Fresh off that loss, UNC gets the chance to take on a Duke team that is really struggling going into this game. The Blue Devils are 2-5 on the year with their only conference win coming against Syracuse, three weeks ago. Last week, the Blue Devils routed Charlotte to get back into the win column but they haven’t been good in conference play.

Last season’s matchup between the two teams came down to the wire as Chazz Surratt intercepted a pass in the end zone in the final seconds to seal the deal. This came after a Javonte Williams fumble deep inside Duke territory as he was looking to seal the game and find the end zone.

But this season, this Blue Devil’s team looks a lot different.

Transfer quarterback Chase Brice has really struggled in his first year, completing just 56.3 percent of his passes for 1,567 yards, 7 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He’s posted a QB rating of 45.9 as the Duke offense has really had some troubles moving the football. Their best playmaker is senior running back Deon Jackson who has 446 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the season.

After that? It’s really been some poor play by that Blue Devil’s offense as they have averaged just 25.9 points per game.

While Duke’s offense has struggled to score, that hasn’t been the case for UNC’s offense. The Tar Heels have one of the most dynamic offenses in the country, averaging 38.3 points and 532 total yards per game led by quarterback Sam Howell. With an offense like this, it’s really disappointing to see them have two losses to teams near the bottom of the ACC in Florida State and Virginia.

It’s been UNC’s defense that has really struggled this season, especially against mobile quarterbacks. Hence the two losses.

UNC’s defense is giving up 382 yards per game and 28 points per game this year. They have been inconsistent throughout the years, showing up and making stops but then also allowing teams to get right back in the game. They can’t do that again this week as they have to close the door early on the road against Duke.

Key to Victory for UNC

Defense, defense, defense. We know what the offense is going to give you and Saturday should be another big day for the Tar Heels on that side of the football. But as we have seen twice already, it won’t matter unless the defense can play well. With an offense capable of scoring 30+ points per game, the defense is really going to need to step up on this one.

Brice has struggled as the quarterback this year but at times when he’s been able to find his groove, he’s led Duke on some impressive scoring drives. That can’t happen on Saturday as UNC really needs to make sure he doesn’t get comfortable back there. Force him into some tough throws, get pressure on him early and make sure he can’t beat you through the air.

Something to Watch

Will UNC get Dazz Newsome more involved? We know about the Tar Heels’ weapons on offense led by their dual backfield in Michael Carter and Javonte Williams but one player has been quiet of late: Wideout Dazz Newsome.

The senior has 18 receptions for 209 yards and just 1 touchdown on the season. In UNC’s two losses, he’s been held without a touchdown and has just 2 receptions for 95 yards. Newsome is coming off a monster junior year where he went over 1,000 yards receiving but so far has been quiet in his final campaign.

Get Dazz involved and let’s make this offense more dangerous.

What you need to know

WHAT?   North Carolina Tar Heels (4-2, 4-2 ACC) AT Duke Blue Devils (2-5, 1-4 ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, November 1, 12 p.m. ET
WHERE? Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina
TV? ESPN 2
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Cloudy with a high of 74
LINE? UNC  – 10.5
LAST MEETING? UNC beat Duke 20-17 in 2019
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads 60-41-1
PREDICTION? UNC 41, Duke 31