Keeping It Heel
Fansided

5 Predictions for the UNC football vs. Syracuse football battle

By Nick Delahanty

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 23: J.J. Jones #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels signals a first down after a catch in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 23: J.J. Jones #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels signals a first down after a catch in the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Sep 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) waits to take the field to warm up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) waits to take the field to warm up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Let Drake Maye cook!

Syracuse is not going to shy away from bringing the pressure. In fact, they are going to try to make things very difficult for Drake Maye and the UNC football program’s offense on Saturday afternoon.

When teams bring the pressure, it means that they are trusting their secondary to hold down the fort as they try to get to the quarterback.

What this means for the Tar Heels is simple: similar to what Clemson did a week prior, the offense is going to have to take shots down the field. In context, this game plan could lead to a big day through the air for star quarterback Drake Maye.

For the second time this season, Maye will throw for over 400 yards in this one.

It will be another strong showing for Maye in front of the home crowd in Chapel Hill, as his success through the air will cause major problems for the Orange defense.  Of course, when you throw for 400 yards, plenty of receivers should benefit, which takes us to our next prediction…

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