UNC Football vs Notre Dame: Game preview, info, prediction and more
UNC football faces its highest-ranked opponent of the 2020 season on Friday when the Tar Heels take on the No. 2-ranked Irish of Notre Dame.
The North Carolina Tar Heels are coming off of a 59-53 comeback win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons that improved their record to 6-2 on the season. After trailing by 14 points at the start of the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels completed their impressive come-from-behind victory thanks in part to the 550 yards and six touchdowns they got from sophomore quarterback Sam Howell.
Much of the production through the passing game went to Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown. The dynamic duo combined for 18 receptions, 352 yards and four touchdowns. The Tar Heels also got another solid performance from sensational junior running back Javonte Williams, who ran for 101 yards and a score on the ground, his eighth consecutive game with at least one rushing touchdown.
Despite underwhelming losses to Florida State and Virginia, North Carolina has a shot to make a splash in the surprisingly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. That potential splash is predicated upon earning victories against Notre Dame and Miami in two of the season’s final three weeks. Wins over a pair of top-10 programs won’t be easy, but the Tar Heels’ offense has proven it can run with just about any team in the nation. With offensive showings like they had last week — and slightly better defensive performances — the Tar Heels have a shot at upsetting both the Irish and the Hurricanes.
Key to Victory for UNC
The Tar Heels need to establish the run game early, and let it open up the pass game for Sam Howell. With so many weapons at his disposal, Howell knows how to exploit defenses and put up bunches of points in a hurry. If the North Carolina offensive unit can get the Notre Dame defensive squad on its heels, they stand a chance against the nation’s No. 2-ranked team.
Something to Watch for
Javonte Williams’ case for Heisman has been there all season, but the publicity surrounding the stellar running back is just beginning to pick up. Can he continue to build on his argument for college football’s most prestigious honor, and what kind of performances will it take to supplant the quarterbacks that are above him in most rankings?
What You Need to Know
WHAT? No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-0, 7-0 ACC) @ No. 19 North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2, 6-2 ACC)
WHEN? Friday, November 27 at 3:30 p.m. EST
WHERE? Kenan Memorial Stadium – Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ABC
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Partly cloudy and 68 degrees
LINE? Notre Dame -5.5
LAST MEETING? Notre Dame 33, UNC 10 (2017)
ALL-TIME SERIES? Notre Dame leads 18-2
PREDICTION? UNC 49, Notre Dame 45
Next. Day'Ron Sharpe impresses in Tar Heels' season-opening win. dark
Check back with Keeping It Heel for complete coverage of the game, as well as all the latest on the UNC football program.