UNC Football vs. Notre Dame: Game Preview, Info, Prediction, And More
Before the season started, the UNC football team had Notre Dame circled as the match-up to prove they belong with the elites. Now, a win is still warranted, but for different reasons.
To save a lost season.
Fresh off a bye week, UNC fans are hopeful that the Tar Heels can turn things around here as they face a tough stretch to end the season. Let’s be honest this was supposed to be a year that had many speculating that the Notre Dame game could be the difference between playoffs and a bowl appearance. Despite playoffs existing in an alternate universe, this game is still the most important for UNC football season.
When it comes to Notre Dame, its 11th ranking in the nation should tell you what you need to know. The fighting Irish currently sits at 6-1, their only loss coming to undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats. Notre Dame’s offense struggled majorly in that game, as they went scoreless in the first half to finish with 13 total points.
A formula UNC would need to adapt.
Despite that poor outing from Notre Dame, they have dominated some schools that expected to give them fits. They blew out Wisconsin 41-13 and boiled Purdue plans 27-13. The biggest key to Notre Dame is their outstanding defense, led by safety Kyle Hamilton. One of the biggest stories from Notre Dame this season is Hamilton, playing like a wrecking ball in opposing teams’ schemes. Luckily for UNC, they won’t have to game-plan for Hamilton, as he will be out due to a knee injury.
Key Victory For UNC
The key to UNC cruising to victory is to attack Notre Dame’s defense through the air. Let Sam Howell throw the ball deep early to see how DJ Brown steps in for Hamilton. Last year UNC had a glimpse of Brown after Hamilton was ejected for targeting, and now they get another chance to try and expose the replacement. UNC’s Josh Down speed and ability to take a screen pass 70-yards will help if Howell’s deep ball is grounded. Ty Chandler’s consistent running should also gain traction for Carolina if throwing the ball deep fails.
In this game playing it safe won’t work.
UNC will need to be aggressive in not only their play but playing calling also. Limit the three and outs and if it’s a third and long, let’s try to throw it deep before settling to a run or screen pass.
Something To Watch
This feels like a game that could end in a defensive showdown or an offensive shootout. Coming off the bye week should tell a lot about this team, and if any corrections to predictable play-calling have been corrected. It’s not just on the coaching staff. Carolina will need to show some energy on the field and not just the hype-up videos. The player to watch for this one is Emery Simmons, who has emerged as one of Howell’s security blankets.
This game screams breakout performance for Simmons with the defense locked in on containing the run and stopping Downs. Howell’s ability to move in the pocket should force Notre Dame to pack the box more than they would like to, which should result in Simmons getting at least his second touchdown of the season.
What You Need To Know
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (4-3, 3-3 in ACC) AT Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1)
WHEN? Saturday, October 30 at 7:30 EDT
WHERE? Notre Dame Stadium
TV? NBC
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? 7% chance of rain with a high of 54 degrees
LINE? UNC +3.5
LAST MEETING? 2020 (L, 31-17 at UNC)
ALL-TIME SERIES? ND leads 19-2
PREDICTION? UNC 41, ND 35
Next. UNC Football: Tar Heels land five-star offensive tackle. dark
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