UNC Football vs. Virginia Tech: Preview, info, prediction and more
The UNC Football program will look to get back on track this weekend, as they’ll host Virginia Tech to open up ACC conference play.
Even with Hurricane Ian impacting the area, the UNC football program plans to play its first ACC Coastal Division contest on Saturday afternoon against Virginia Tech.
The Tar Heels are coming off an extremely disappointing loss to Notre Dame, and are looking to bounce back against a Hokies team that is coming off a similar outcome against West Virginia. This is an important game for Mack Brown’s team, as they aim to start conference play off on the right foot.
Who will end up on the right side of the win column this week? Let’s take a closer look at the matchup.
Key to Victory for North Carolina
This week’s matchup is one that will pin strength vs. strength and weakness vs. weakness.
North Carolina has been very good offensively but has struggled mightily defensively.
On the other hand, Virginia Tech has struggled offensively but has one of the best defenses in the country.
It would be easy to point to the defense for this week’s key to victory, as the Tar Heels definitely need this unit to step up against a struggling offensive unit. However, the key to this one starts on the ground, as North Carolina must run the ball well in order to win the game.
Notre Dame stifled the Tar Heels rushing attack, as the defensive line had their way with North Carolina’s offensive line. Virginia Tech is coming off a week in which their defense allowed 218 rushing yards to West Virginia.
If the UNC football program can run the ball effectively, the offense should be able to produce more than enough points to win the game. On the contrary, if the run game struggles again, it could make life difficult for Drake Maye and the Tar Heels’ air attack.
Something to Watch For
This week, a players-only meeting was held by the Tar Heels’ defensive unit. In what was called a “productive meeting” by defensive lineman Ray Vohasek, this group had an opportunity to discuss the current issues as well as work together to figure out a solution.
What will we see from the Tar Heels’ defense this week?
This question seems repetitive, but in the same token, maybe this meeting helped at least a little bit.
There’s plenty of talent on that side of the football, it’s just a matter of figuring out how to get the players to live up to their potential. Facing a struggling Virginia Tech offense, maybe this could end up being the week that helps turn things around for the UNC football program’s defense moving forward.
What You Need to Know
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1, 0-0 in ACC) vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-2, 1-0 in ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 3:30 PM EST
WHERE? Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC Network
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. High 67F.
LINE? UNC -9.0
LAST MEETING? Virginia Tech defeated North Carolina 17-10 on September 3, 2021
ALL-TIME SERIES? Virginia Tech leads the series 25-13-6
PREDICTION? North Carolina 35, Virginia Tech 28