UNC Football vs. N.C. State: Game preview, info, prediction and more

The UNC Football program returns to action on Saturday for the final regular season game of the year and they have the chance to take down a rival in N.C. State.

While things haven’t gone as planned for Mack Brown’s team in a year where they had high expectations, they have the chance to take down the Wolfpack for the third-straight year and end the regular season on a high note. The Tar Heels have already clinched a bowl spot and likely know where they are going in the postseason but with it being rivalry week, the stakes are pretty high and UNC can officially eliminate the Wolfpack from the ACC title game by beating them.

This also could be the final time we see Sam Howell play in a UNC uniform.

After missing last weeks’ win over Wofford, Howell is expected to play tonight despite dealing with an injury. With Howell’s NFL stock currently sitting in the first round, the quarterback is unlikely to play in the bowl game. He hasn’t officially ruled that out but it does make sense for him to opt out.

Howell is 2-0 against N.C. State in his career and has been fantastic for UNC over the past three seasons now, setting numerous records. While we have seen what he can do through the air, Howell has also beat teams with his legs this year, adding that dynamic to his game.

And if UNC wants to beat this Wolfpack team, they may need Howell at his best.

N.C. State comes in at 8-3 overall and ranked No. 20 in the country. They are backed by a pretty good quarterback of their own in Devin Leary who has thrown for 3,186 yards, 31 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. He’s been fantastic this season and UNC’s defense is going to have to be on their heels all game.

The Wolfpack’s defense has also been really good, allowing just 18 points per game this season and just 321.4 yards allowed. If UNC struggles on offense like we’ve seen them do before, it could get ugly.

Key to Victory

Keeping N.C. State honest with a balanced attack on offense. We know Sam Howell is going to look to air it out with Josh Downs and Antoine Green, but UNC can’t go away from the run. Get Ty Chandler going early and often. If the run game can come out and get some big runs early, it should open things up for the passing game and play action.

If UNC is forced to get one dimensional, it likely won’t turn out well for them.

Something to watch

Slow start. The Tar Heels can’t get off to a slow start like they have this season in games. Most recently against Pitt where they had to play from behind against a good quarterback. Now, the defense recovered and gave them a chance but I’d like to see UNC jump out to a nice lead in this one and set the tone early on.

What You Need To Know

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (6-5, 3-4 in ACC) at NC State Wolfpack (8-3, 5-2 in ACC)
WHEN? Friday,  November 26 at 6 p.m.
WHERE? Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina
TV? ESPN
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Partly cloudy with a high of 48 degrees
LINE? NC State -6
LAST MEETING? UNC beat NC State 48-21 in 2020
ALL-TIME SERIES? 68–36–6.
PREDICTION? NC State 31, UNC 30

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