Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football: Schedule Predictions for the 2023 Season

By Nick Delahanty

Nov 27, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; An overall view in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2020; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; An overall view in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 24, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive back Jaylen Stinson (2) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half of the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive back Jaylen Stinson (2) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half of the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Week Eleven: Duke

Delahanty:

This is likely the last time that Drake Maye will play in front of the home crowd in Chapel Hill, and I truly expect that he will put together a performance that the UNC football faithful will remember for a very long time.

This one should be a close one, given the rivalry and the desire for both teams to come out on top, but give me the Tar Heels in a much-needed game ahead of a tough two-game stretch to close out the regular season.

Prediction: North Carolina 38, Duke 31 (Record: 7-3)

Falls:

Battle for the Victory Bell. Homecoming. Senior Day. Very likely that it is Maye’s last game in Kenan along with Cedric Gray and several others. Mack Brown puts so much emphasis on in-state opponents and winning against rivals. Last year Maye provided a great finish in Wallace Wade Stadium. This year, it won’t be as close, but the defense will still struggle to slow down Riley Leonard and the Duke offense. Maye will have to outscore the Blue Devils but will not lose his last game in Kenan.

Prediction: North Carolina 42, Duke 31 (Record: 8-2)

Ebersbach:

North Carolina closes their home schedule in a rivalry matchup with Duke on November 11th. Duke surprised many people last season as they finished 9-4 and 5-3 in conference play including a bowl win. I believe the Tar Heels will beat a talented Duke team on senior day, but it is hard to know the true potential of Mike Elko’s 2023 team. I would like to think North Carolina wins by double-digits, but I do not see that happening.

Prediction: North Carolina 28, Duke 20 (Record: 9-1)

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