UNC Football vs. NC State: Preview, info, prediction and more

The UNC football program wraps up its regular season with a Friday afternoon contest against rival NC State in Chapel Hill.

It’s ‘Senior Day’ in Chapel Hill, as the UNC football program will host rival NC State in the final game of the regular season.

After a very disappointing loss to Georgia Tech last weekend, the Tar Heels come in looking to get back on track before they take on Clemson in next week’s ACC championship contest. Before they head to Charlotte, they have some unfinished business to take care of, as they hope to send the seniors out on the right note.

The Tar Heels will once again be facing a backup quarterback, but as we saw last week, that doesn’t necessarily seem to matter for this group. Facing a third (and fourth) string quarterback against the Yellow Jackets, North Carolina’s defense had trouble slowing them down, which goes to show you can’t take any opponent lightly.

So, the big question is, which version of the UNC football program will show up on Friday afternoon? Hopefully, the one that will lead to a victory.

Key To Victory for North Carolina

Last week was clearly the Tar Heels’ worst offensive performance of the 2022 season.

While missing Antoine Green due to injury, Drake Maye did not dominate as he’s had all season long, and star receiver Josh Downs was essentially a non-factor for most of the game.

These things simply can’t happen again.

After scoring on their first play from scrimmage, North Carolina struggled in the red zone, an area that they need to thrive in over the next few weeks.

The key in this one is this: get the offense going early and often.

How does Maye respond after last week? Can the offensive line bounce back and provide the necessary protection to give him time to operate?

These are all things that need to be rectified before heading to Charlotte next week.

Something to Watch For

For the first time all season, the Tar Heels’ offense didn’t score in the second half.

This goes along with the above key to victory, as the offense simply needs to be better in this one.

Of course, the defense has been an issue for most of the season, but they did hold the Yellow Jackets to just 21 points. Last week’s loss has to be put more on the offense, as we’ll see what offensive coordinator Phil Longo has planned, especially in red zone situations.

What You Need To Know

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (9-2, 6-1 in ACC) vs. NC State Wolfpack (7-4, 3-4 in ACC)
WHEN? Friday, November 25, 2022, at 3:30 PM EST
WHERE? Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ABC
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Cloudy with a chance of rain. High of 65F
LINE? North Carolina -6.5
LAST MEETING? NC State defeated North Carolina 34-30 on November 26, 2021
ALL-TIME SERIES?  North Carolina leads the series 68-37-6
PREDICTION? North Carolina 28, NC State 24

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