Duped by Duke: UNC's bowl game hopes crushed by the Blue Devils

There have been a few things that can essentially tell the story of the UNC football program's season.

Unexpected, insane plays that you don't typically see, all of which go in the opponents' favor, is definitely one of them.

An insane fake field goal on fourth down with just over two minutes in the game set the Duke Blue Devils up to score a game-winning touchdown. The victory marks the second consecutive season in which the Victory Bell returns to Durham.

Yuck.

North Carolina figured that Duke would settle for the field goal in that aforementioned situation, considering they would take the lead by claiming the three points. However, Manny Diaz and his staff had other plans, making a ballsy call that ended up being a great one for his team.

The play that changed the game

Kicker Todd Pelino started to take his approach before being pitched the football. He burst down the left side of the field, running his way to the one yard line.

As expected, North Carolina had no idea that was coming.

The loss, which officially takes the UNC football program out of bowl game contention, stings, not only because of who they lost to, but how they lost this game.

After going down 24-10, the Tar Heels found a way to bounce back, re-gaining the lead for the first time since after the opening drive, but couldn't hold on or find a way to drive down the field for a game-winning score.

Let's face it: you won't win many games when you're undisciplined, making bone-headed mistakes throughout. Marcus Allen, a senior on this team, committed two of them, both of which came back to haunt North Carolina, as various unsportsmanlike penalties also kept shooting the Tar Heels in the foot.

While some will say he played better in this one (which, we will give him credit, he had some moments), your quarterback can not afford to take three sacks over the span of the final two drives, especially one where you have the potential to eat clock and preserve your lead.

Now, the UNC football program has one game remaining. They will travel to Raleigh to take on the NC State Wolfpack for what will be the final game of the 2025 season for the Tar Heels.

This season has been absolutely draining. At this point, at least it's almost over.