Staff Picks for the UNC football program's Victory Bell rivalry game vs. Duke
It's the battle for the Victory Bell as the UNC football program looks to rebound following a brutal loss to JMU last weekend as they kick-off conference play against rival Duke.
Now that our staff all have at least one wrong prediction in, it's time to regroup! This week, does our staff believe the UNC football program will bounce back, or are there some doubts heading into Saturday afternoon's contest?
Let's find out!
Nick Delahanty- Site Expert
I have got to tell ya... this one is really tough for me.
My heart is saying to side with the Tar Heels. My head is telling me that I'm crazy if I do.
Let's look at the facts: sure, Duke is 4-0 (credit to them for taking care of business), but their strength of schedule leaves plenty of room for desire. Currently, the four teams Duke defeated are all either .500 or below .500, as they haven't really been battle tested yet.
On the other side, last week was a MESS in Chapel Hill...
Now, I might regret this, BUT I believe that North Carolina has plenty of motivation heading into this one. What better way to rebound off a brutal loss than to defeat your rivals from down the road?
Prediction: North Carolina 28, Duke 27
Record: 3-1
Chase Maxwell- Contributor
If the goal was to improve my prediction record (3-1), which was recently damaged by the Tar Heels 20-point loss to James Madison, one might advise me to go against my heart and take the Blue Devils, who are headed into Saturday's game as three-point favorites. But I think I'll take that advice and throw it out the window. Let's look at last weekend's game as a wake-up call for the North Carolina defense- and expect them to get back on track this weekend in Durham.
Prediction: North Carolina 37, Duke 30
Record: 3-1
Michael McKay- Contributor
The Tar Heels were rollicked at home against James Madison last week. This was the type of loss that can reverberate through the season. Will UNC bounce back this week against Duke? That won't be so easy. The Blue Devils are undefeated so far this season, and new coach Manny Diaz has the defense holding opponents to less than 70 points in every game they've played.
The good news? Jacolby Criswell looks like the right fit at quarterback. With Omarion Hampton behind him, he has a solid platform to launch the offense from. If North Carolina's defense and special teams can unscrew themselves, maybe UNC will right the ship.
Prediction: North Carolina 27, Duke 24
Record: 2-2
Luke Sugar- Contributor
Beating those guys 10 miles down the road always makes for the sweetest wins. And UNC needs a morale-boosting W more than ever after their embarrassing 70-50 loss versus JMU.
After last week, it’s difficult having any confidence in North Carolina football. However, the Tar Heels have been Duke’s Achilles heel, beating the Blue Devils in their last five matchups.
Kaimon Rucker remains sidelined with a lower body injury. He’s been a huge loss for the Tar Heels, who are missing his defensive presence. But I do think the Tar Heels get fired up for this rivalry matchup on the road and come out swinging. I have the Tar Heels leaving Durham with a win and escaping in a nail-biter. North Carolina rings the Victory Bell for the sixth time in a row.
Prediction: North Carolina 31, Duke 28
Record: 3-1
JT Zangara- Contributor
After a terrible performance against JMU last week, The Tar Heels are looking to bounce back against Duke. North Carolina let up 70 points to JMU in a very rough Week 4 non-conference game. Now, they are facing rival school Duke in Durham for their first ACC matchup of the year. Duke comes into this matchup 4-0 while putting up 26 or more in every game. If North Carolina wants to prove that last week was a fluke, they must shut down Duke's offense. North Carolina will also have to limit their turnovers after having five total turnovers vs JMU. I believe the Tar Heels could upset Duke and win this matchup, although, as of now, I think Duke will narrowly defeat the Tar Heels.
Prediction: Duke 34, North Carolina 24
Record: 3-1