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UNC Football: The true test for the Tar Heels lies ahead

By Nick Delahanty

Oct 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) walks off the field after being unable to get a first down against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) walks off the field after being unable to get a first down against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /
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As disappointing as the loss to Virginia was, the true test still lies ahead for Mack Brown and the UNC football program.

The UNC football program’s loss to 1-5 Virginia is one that Tar Heels fans will always remember (not fondly, of course).

After a 6-0 start to the season, Mack Brown’s team found its way into the top 10 nationally, as the potential of a College Football Playoff started to seem like it really could happen.

Well, the Cavaliers spoiled that plan.

It’s hard not to be upset over that loss. The same storyline continues to follow this program: strong start, awful finish.

As much as the loss to Virginia stings, the true test for the UNC football program still lies ahead.

The College Football Playoff is likely out of the picture, but the Tar Heels can still make a run for the ACC title game. Losing to Virginia doesn’t help that aspiration, but it doesn’t have to necessarily have to be the dagger in North Carolina’s hopes.

In order to make that run to the ACC Championship bout, North Carolina must regroup and fast.

It starts with Georgia Tech on the road next Saturday night and follows with ACC contests against Duke, Clemson, and NC State. If the UNC football program takes care of business in those games, which isn’t as impossible as we may think it is right now, the Tar Heels will be in Charlotte on December 2.

After being the hunter, the UNC football program was turned into the hunted. Now it’s time to find a way to become the hunter once again, being that team we saw through the first six weeks of the season.

The loss to Virginia is a brutal one, without a doubt. Even though it felt like the world was ending, there’s still hope for the UNC football program’s season: we’ll have to wait and see how this group responds as their backs are now officially up against the wall.

Could this be a setback for a huge comeback, or will this loss start the negative spiral that UNC football fans are so used to seeing from this program?

The first test of this mission comes on Saturday night against Georgia Tech.

Next. Rucker named to Bednarik Award Watch List. dark

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