Staff Predictions for the UNC Football program's Saturday night clash vs. Wake Forest
What a rollercoaster of a season it's been for the UNC football program!
After a hot start, the Tar Heels went ice cold, only to get back on a winning streak that has them pushing for a potential bowl game bid.
If you would've asked us two weeks ago if a bowl game was possible, we probably would've thought you were crazy!
Now, the Tar Heels host Wake Forest on prime time on Saturday night in Chapel Hill, as a win would make the UNC football program bowl eligible.
The question is: can they make it happen?
Nick Delahanty- Site Expert
Following their last "bye week," the UNC football program came out and put together a strong performance against Virginia.
Sure, the Cavaliers aren't a top-tier win by any means, but it was encouraging to see how the Tar Heels came out and responded after their four-game losing streak.
I expect some of the same this week, as this group has something to prove. Ultimately, I think they are looking to prove everyone wrong, and I like that they've had a chip on their shoulder, using it to their advantage.
Give me the Tar Heels to defend their home turf on Saturday night.
Prediction: North Carolina 34, Wake Forest 28
Record: 6-3
Chase Maxwell- Contributor
The Tar Heels look to extend their winning streak to three this Saturday against a Wake Forest team that has been incredibly underwhelming defensively. The Demon Deacons have allowed an average of 298.6 passing yards per game, ranking 259th in the country in that category, and allow over 32 points per game. I predict Jacolby Criswell will have a spectacular passing game, and North Carolina will cruise to a 6-4 record- securing their spot in a bowl game.
Prediction: North Carolina 37, Wake Forest 20
Record: 7-2
Michael McKay- Contributor
Uneven performances are nothing new to UNC fans, but something strange happened after the first bye week before the Virginia game. North Carolina's defense got formidable. The Tar Heels held Virginia to 7 rushing yards and Florida State to just 42. Now, those numbers include loss yardage due to sacks, but it's worth remembering the Tar Heels sacked Cavalier and Seminole quarterbacks 17 times!!! Wake Forest has the #94-ranked rushing offense in FBS at 138.7 yards per game, well below #86 Virginia. If UNC is disciplined against the slow mesh, they should prevail.
It's been an underwhelming season in Winston-Salem and Wake Forest can't seem to gain and sustain winning momentum. Close wins over UConn and Stanford were followed by a fairly comprehensive loss to Cal, and now the hardest stretch of their season begins, starting in Chapel Hill.
Prediction: North Carolina 35, Wake Forest 27
Record: 6-3
Luke Sugar- Contributor
North Carolina football has looked like a completely different team these past few weeks. Their fighting spirit and team comradery have been ignited.
With a struggling Wake Forest squad coming to Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels have a great opportunity to make it three wins in a row. Wake is 4-5 on the season and fresh off a 10-point loss to a Cal team that’s 1-4 in ACC play.
As 11-point favorites, it’s safe to say that the Tar Heels should take care of business at home. North Carolina wins it and covers.
Prediction: North Carolina 38, Wake Forest 24
Record: 6-3
JT Zangara- Contributor
North Carolina is coming off their bye week to play 4-5 Wake Forest. The Tar Heels have won back-to-back games, and I believe they will add another win this week in Chapel Hill. Wake Forest has a below-average rush defense; this is where the Tar Heels will take advantage. Omarion Hampton had 172 yards and four touchdowns vs Florida State before the bye week. I expect Hampton to have another impressive game with over 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Tar Heel's defense has also been much better in the past two games, with two takeaways in each game. If the Tar Heels run game stays hot and the defense continues to hold their opponents to under 15 points, I believe North Carolina will win this game and improve to 6-4.
Prediction: North Carolina 27, Wake Forest 13
Record: 8-1
Brendan Lunga- Contributor
The Tar Heels are one win away from clinching another bowl appearance. They are big favorites coming into a primetime battle against Wake in Kenan. Everything points to a UNC victory. The Tar Heels have now won two straight games with their defense allowing less than 14 points in each. Wake, on the other hand, is coming off a hard-fought 46-36 loss against Cal. UNC is sixth in the ACC in scoring offense, while Wake is 11th. UNC is 11th in the ACC in scoring defense, while Wake is 16th. With that being said, this UNC football team never fails to disappoint. Every time things seem to be pointing in its direction, it falters. After a 3-0 start to the year, it gave up 70 to James Madison. For that reason, Wake will win this football game and make UNC’s hopes for a bowl game wait another week.
Prediction: North Carolina 28, Wake Forest 34
Record: 1-0