UNC Football: Week Four Schedule Report for Tar Heels Opponents

The first month of the season is in the books, as we take a look at how the teams on UNC’s football schedule fared during Week Four.

Well, that was rough.  North Carolina was beaten soundly by a 1-2 Notre Dame team with a backup quarterback on Saturday afternoon.  The defense in the first month of the season has been a disaster, as the Irish scored 45 (and easily could have scored more) in Chapel Hill after scoring just 48 points in their first three games combined.

However, UNC was far from the only team that took a rough loss this weekend, as we check in on how the teams on the Heels’ schedule fared below.

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Virginia Tech Hokies

Lane Stadium was rocking on Thursday Night, as the Hokies hosted West Virginia.  Virginia Tech scored the game’s first touchdown and led until the final seconds of the first half, but JT Daniels and the Mountaineers owned the second half.

West Virginia outscored VT 20-3 in the second half and left Blacksburg with a 23 point victory.  The Hokies haven’t been particularly impressive in September, with this home loss to WVU and a loss at Old Dominion back in Week One.

However, with their victory over Boston College earlier this month, Virginia Tech will enter Chapel Hill 1-0 in ACC play.  Saturday should be a winnable game for UNC against a VT squad that isn’t expected to contend for the Coastal Division crown.  Defending home field in conference play is critical, and a win against the Hokies would be a nice start for UNC’s division title hopes.

Result: 33-10 Loss vs West Virginia (2-2, 1-0 in ACC)

Looking Ahead

@ Miami Hurricanes

Miami lost a close one last week at Texas A&M, but had an easy bounce-back game against Middle Tennessee State on Saturday before their bye next week.

However, the Blue Raiders did not cooperate.  MTSU led throughout and beat the ‘Canes in Miami in an embarrassing loss for the team that was picked to win the Coastal in the preseason.  MTSU QB Chase Cunningham threw for 408 yards on just 16 completions.

Miami has a bye next week prior to opening ACC play against UNC on October 8th.  There might not be much defense played in that one.

Result: 45-31 Loss vs Middle Tennessee State (2-2, 0-0 in ACC)

@ Duke Blue Devils

Kansas fans finally got to see their team play Duke after a certain team with a first-year head coach knocked the Blue Devils out of the Final Four last basketball season.

The game featuring these hoops blue-bloods lived up to the billing, in a back-and-forth affair where both teams played well.  In the end, it was the Jayhawks who got the win and remained perfect to become the darling of this year’s college football season.

However, with the Coastal Division completely wide open, the Blue Devils are a team to keep an eye on.

Result: 35-27 Loss @ Kansas (3-1, 0-0 in ACC)

Pittsburgh Panthers

Finally, a team that won this weekend!

Pitt hosted FCS opponent Rhode Island and took care of business to improve to 3-1 on the season.  The Panthers weren’t very impressive, leading by just two scores for much of the fourth quarter, but they won, which most of the teams on this list did not do.

Pitt could be the best team in the Coastal, and they open ACC play with home games against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.  If they avoid a slip-up, the Panthers will be ranked when they come to Chapel Hill next month.

Result: 45-24 Win vs Rhode Island (3-1, 0-0 in ACC)

@ Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia was held scoreless in the first half on Friday night at Syracuse.  With a valiant effort in the second half, the Cavaliers came back from a 16-point deficit to take a one-point lead with under six minutes to play.

However, after a devastating face-mask penalty, the Orange got into field goal range and made a game-winning kick with under two minutes to play.  This loss drops the Cavs to 0-1 in ACC play.

Virginia’s offense has taken a step in the wrong direction this year, and they need to fix it immediately if they want to compete for the Coastal Division Title.

Result: 22-20 Loss @ Syracuse (2-2, 0-1 in ACC)

@ Wake Forest Demon Deacons

In the best game of the day, Wake Forest and Clemson traded blows all afternoon.  In the end, Clemson got the stop they needed in double overtime to escape Winston-Salem with the win.

Although they didn’t get the victory, the Demon Deacons opened plenty of eyes by putting up 45 points against a Tiger defense that is considered one of the best in the country.

If UNC’s defense doesn’t improve by November, Sam Hartman might throw ten touchdown passes against the Heels.

Result: 51-45 Loss (2OT) vs Clemson (3-1, 0-1 in ACC)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech dropped to 1-3 on the season with Saturday’s loss at UCF.

The Yellow Jackets have scored just 20 points in their three games against FBS competition.  They appear to be the worst team in the Coastal Division at this point.

Result: 27-10 Loss @ UCF (1-3, 0-1 in ACC)

NC State Wolfpack

NC State handled business against UConn to set up a massive showdown with Clemson in Death Valley next Saturday night.

College Gameday will be in town to watch what should be the game of the year in the ACC.  The Tigers look vulnerable and this will be a golden opportunity for the Wolfpack, but night games in Clemson are not exactly an easy task.

If NC State can find a way to pull off the upset, it would be the biggest win for their athletic program in a long time.  A win would give the ‘Pack the inside track to Charlotte and legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations.

Result: 41-10 Win vs UConn (4-0, 0-0 in ACC)

Looking Back

Florida A&M Rattlers

The Rattlers beat Alabama A&M at home to even their record for the season.

They wrap up a three-game home-stand against Mississippi Valley State next week.

Result: 38-25 Win vs Alabama A&M (2-2, 1-1 in SWAC)

Appalachian State Mountaineers

App State continues to play in wild games.  However, for the first time since their loss to UNC, they were on the wrong side of this week’s thriller.

Things were looking good in Boone early on, as App State jumped out to a 28-3 lead against James Madison.  However, the Dukes controlled the rest of the game, closing it on a 29-0 run to upset the Mountaineers.

With the loss, App State is now 2-2 and has a lot of work to do if they want to return to the Sun Belt Championship Game.

Result: 32-28 Loss vs James Madison (2-2, 1-1 in Sun Belt)

Georgia State Panthers

For a team that finished last season with an 8-5 record and a 31-point bowl game victory, the Panthers have had a very disappointing start to the season.

With another home loss, this time to Coastal Carolina on Thursday, Georgia State is now 0-4 on the season.  It would take a major turnaround for the Panthers to reach a bowl game at this point.

Result: 41-24 Loss vs Coastal Carolina (0-4, 0-1 in Sun Belt)

Check back next Sunday for the Week Five Schedule Report!

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