Staff Picks for the UNC football program's contest against Virginia
Nick Delahanty- Site Expert
I think at this point, we're all wondering: how will the UNC football program find a way to lose this game?
At this point, I just can't trust the Tar Heels to give them the edge. I sure hope I'm wrong, but this team hasn't given me any reason to think that things will be any different this week.
Prediction: Virginia 34, North Carolina 28
Record: 5-2
Chase Maxwell- Contributor
The Tar Heels have showed me nothing during their last four games that would indicate they have what it takes to walk into Scott Stadium and secure a win this weekend. But, they are coming off a bye week, and Virginia, like North Carolina, has one of the worst defenses in the country.
The Cavaliers allow 272.6 passing yards a game, ranking 242nd in the nation, so I’ll pray that Jacoby Criswell tries to abuse that .
Prediction: North Carolina 38, Virginia 30
Record: 5-2
Michael McKay- Contributor
North Carolina is in a free fall. The season has spun out of control and the bye week was much needed, but was it enough time for Geoff Collins to fix the defense? We'll get a chance to see when the Tar Heels return to Charlottesville. Scott Stadium has been a house of horrors for Mack Brown--he's only won there once two years ago with Drake Maye and Josh Downs--and there's no reason to think he'll find success there this weekend.
Prediction: Virginia 35, North Carolina 24
Record: 4-3
Luke Sugar- Contributor
This is a tough game to get a read on for North Carolina football. The Tar Heels visit Virginia on Saturday afternoon. On one hand, the Tar Heels have lost four in a row and the wheels have completely fallen off this season. On the other hand, Virginia has dropped back-to-back games, and maybe the Tar Heels are due for a win.
With two teams who are clawing for a win and looking to break a losing streak, I think the difference is home field advantage for the Cavaliers. Unfortunately, I have the Tar Heels dropping this game, extending their losing spell to five straight.
Prediction: Virginia 30, North Carolina 24
Record: 5-2
JT Zangara- Contributor
After a long Bye Week, I think the Tar Heels get back on track with a win vs Virginia. Both defenses have struggled recently but I would give the edge to the North Carolina offense. Virginia’s pass defense is not great and could lead to a huge game for Jacolby Criswell. Criswell threw for 209 yards and a touchdown vs Georgia Tech last week. Omarion Hampton is also looking to hit 1,000 yards on the season for the second straight year. North Carolina comes in as underdogs and it will be an important ACC battle. This game at Scott Stadium in Virginia will be high scoring but I got the Tar Heels getting back to .500 in week 9.
Prediction: North Carolina 42, Virginia 39
Record: 6-1