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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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Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second quarter in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) throws the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second quarter in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports /

Week One: South Carolina

Nick Delahanty, Site Expert:

This game is one that has everyone questioning how it will play out because quite frankly, it could go either way.

I have confidence in Drake Maye and the UNC football program’s offense but don’t know just yet if we can trust the Tar Heels’ defense. This one has the makings of being a high-scoring affair, one that probably doesn’t bode well for North Carolina.

This one will be close, but I think that South Carolina will find a way to win this one. It won’t be the end of the world for Mack Brown and his team, as it’s a good early-season test that will be an early indicator of what to expect as the season rolls along.

Prediction: South Carolina 45, North Carolina 42 (Record: 0-1)

Jordan Falls, Contributor:

This season has a mix of 2015 and 2021 pre-season vibes. 2015 had the season-opening loss with South Carolina in Charlotte that led to a “what could have been” regular season, finishing 11-1. Did that team have the ability to go 12-0? Or did the loss to South Carolina propel them to 11-1? 2021 was built around pre-season hype with a Heisman candidate QB with a big opening game against Virginia Tech.

Both seasons had big games to open the season that set the tone for each season and this year will be no different. Can the Tar Heels get the 2023 season started on the right foot?

It will ultimately depend on the Carolina defense if they can do enough to stop Spencer Rattler and the Gamecocks to allow Drake Maye some room for error. If Maye has to be perfect (like it seemed he had to be in every game last year), I don’t think the Tar Heels come out on top in this one. After the previous two years, we’ve been given zero reason to believe that the defense has improved in 2023. Unfortunately, we can’t believe it until we have seen it in a live game. I will say the Tar Heels start the season in Charlotte like they ended it last year…

Prediction: South Carolina 38, North Carolina 34 (Record: 0-1)

Sean Ebersbach, Contributor:

Coming into this matchup, the Tar Heels are favored due to their high-firing offense led by star quarterback Drake Maye. Many questions surround the Tar Heel defense as South Carolina’s offense picked up near the end of the regular season. Both teams have been plagued with nagging injuries in the preseason as both teams are depleted at different positions. This game will come down to an offensive shootout, I suspect. With this hunch, I believe North Carolina’s talented offense will just underperform South Carolina in a game-one scenario.

Prediction: South Carolina 48, North Carolina 43 (Record: 0-1)

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