UNC Football vs. Virginia Tech: Game preview, info, prediction, more

It’s finally here. The 2021 UNC Football season has arrived as Mack Brown and the Tar Heels head to Blacksburg, Virginia to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday night.

The Tar Heels enter this season with high expectations. Many consider them the second-best team in the Atlantic Coast Conference and arguably Clemson’s toughest matchup in years if they meet in the conference title game. But those expectations can only become a reality if UNC takes a big step forward this season.

After losing production from Michael Carter, Javonte Williams, Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown, the Tar Heels are relying on new pieces in their backfield and some receivers to step up along the way.

Returning for his third season is quarterback Sam Howell, 2021 Heisman Trophy candidate who will be a big story all season long. Howell is UNC’s best player and will lead their offense while trying to improve his draft stock. This is likely the final run for Howell in his UNC career as he’s projected to be a Top 10 pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

While Howell lost his top four weapons,  he has the ability to make the players around him better. And that’s guys like Emery Simmons, Josh Downs, Antoine Green, and Khafre Brown among others. If UNC’s offense can reach that next level, this team could be that much better.

As for the defense, UNC is going to rely on their front seven and veterans in the secondary.

Linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel as well as the Fox brothers are the leaders up front and a secondary that enters the another year together should gel well. While the focus will be on the offense, it’s the defense that really can make a big statement this year. And if UNC wants to reach the College Football Playoff, this defense has to get to the next level.

Up first is a date with the Hokies, a team that struggled last season and is hoping for an early season upset here in 2021. The Hokies nearly beat UNC last year despite struggling and are sort of rebuilding on the fly. They have talent but do face a lot of questions going into this year. This won’t be an easy one for the Tar Heels to start Week 1 but get this one out of the way and if they can earn a win on the road, it will build a lot of confidence.

Let’s get into our preview:

Key to Victory for UNC

Defense. The Tar Heels can’t let the Hokies get out to a hot start on offense early on. This is going to be an intense atmosphere with the return of fans and if the Hokies get up early it could be a similar situation to last year’s loss at Florida State.

Not letting the Hokies build confidence early could be huge in this one. In previous matchups, Hendon Hooker was able to give the Tar Heels some problems with his legs. But he’s gone as is the Hokies leading rusher, Khalil Herbert. Braxton Burmeister takes over at quarterback and while Virginia Tech’s run game is a question, Burmeister will look to get the ball to their receivers and tight ends. If the Tar Heels can stop the run game and get pressure on Burmeister, they should find themselves victorious in this one.

Something to Watch

The run game. This is going to be crucial for UNC’s success this season. Losing Williams and Carter hurt, but the Tar Heels welcome in Tennessee transfer Ty Chandler. The running back is capable of producing in the backfield and just might be one of the Tar Heels’ biggest keys to success this season.

Getting Chandler going early will be huge for the Tar Heels and should open up things in their passing game which is advantage UNC.

What you need to know

WHAT? No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels (0-0) AT Virginia Tech Hokies (0-0_
WHEN? Friday, September 3rd at 6 p.m. EDT
WHERE? Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia
TV? ESPN
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Partly cloudy and 78 degrees
LINE? UNC -5.5
LAST MEETING? UNC 56, Virginia Tech 45 in October of 2020
ALL-TIME SERIES? Virginia Tech leads 24-12-6
PREDICTION? UNC 31, Virginia Tech 27

For more on the UNC Football program including a recap of this game, please check back with Keeping It Heel.