UNC Football vs. Georgia Tech: Preview, info, prediction and more
With a win against Georgia Tech on Saturday, the UNC football program would capture its first 10-win season since back in 2015.
For the first time in the month of November, the UNC football program will be playing a game at Kenan Stadium.
After clinching the ACC Coastal Division last week with a win over Wake Forest, the Tar Heels have more business to take care of in the regular season prior to the ACC Championship game on December 3.
With a victory on Saturday afternoon, North Carolina will clinch its first 10-win season since 2015. This would also mark just the second time over the past 20 seasons that the program would accomplish the feat.
Georgia Tech comes into Chapel Hill for this week’s matchup, as the Yellow Jackets are prepared to be a bit shorthanded in this contest. They have lost three of their last four games, and are fresh off a blowout loss to Miami.
Can the Tar Heels capture win No. 10 on the season this weekend? Let’s take a closer look:
Key to Victory for North Carolina
Georgia Tech will be without its starting quarterback, Jeff Sims, who accounted for four total touchdowns in last year’s matchup against the Tar Heels, as well as their backup quarterback.
With the Yellow Jackets already ranking as one of the worst total offenses in the ACC, North Carolina’s defense has to take advantage of the situation. Nate McCollum is the guy the Tar Heels must account for, as he’s coming off back-to-back games of 100 or more receiving yards.
Averaging just over 17 points per game, Georgia Tech is most likely not equipped to keep up with the Tar Heels’ offense. Early defensive stops are the key, as putting the pressure on the Yellow Jackets will force them to go even further out of their comfort zone, hopefully leading to some timely turnovers.
Something to Watch For
With two games remaining in the regular season, redshirt freshman Drake Maye has an opportunity to add to his Heisman Trophy resume.
Maye has been sensational all season long and looks to continue that trend over the remainder of the season. The Tar Heels may be short-handed at wide receiver, given Antoine Green’s status is up in the air while Josh Downs has been banged up a bit (which could lead to the Tar Heels limiting his usage to get him fully healthy for the postseason run).
Regardless of who’s out there catching passes, expect Maye to make it work. It just depends on which receivers earn the most attention in this one.
What You Need To Know
WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (9-1, 6-0 in ACC) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-6, 3-4 in ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 5:30 PM EST
WHERE? Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ESPN2
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Mostly sunny with a high of 55F
LINE? North Carolina -21
LAST MEETING? Georgia Tech defeated North Carolina 45-22 on September 25, 2021
ALL-TIME SERIES? Georgia Tech leads the series 31-22-3
PREDICTION? North Carolina 42, Georgia Tech 7
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