Wait a minute... you're telling us that UNC football is actually allowed to play a game that starts later than noon?
Darn, guess our "Noon Kickoff Guys" motto is no longer valid...
UNC football finally escapes the noon kickoff window
On Monday, kickoff times for the slate of ACC games on October 17 were revealed. It was announced that North Carolina's trip to Durham for a clash with the rival Duke Blue Devils will not be a noon start, but is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM EST on ESPN 2.
Yes, we've graduated from the noon slot (at least for this game!).
Kickoff is set for 3:30 at Duke pic.twitter.com/RDFPtrpN0o
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) October 5, 2026
The Tar Heels have had noon kickoffs for each of the four games they've played so far this season and will once again be featured in that time slot this weekend against Pittsburgh. Similar to Cal Ripken's games played streak, Joe DiMaggio's hit streak, and other notable records, UNC's marriage to the noon kickoff slot has been snapped.
Let's face it: did we really think every single game for UNC this season was going to start at the same time?
Okay, maybe it did cross our mind once or twice..
However, with big-time games against Miami and Louisville brewing, it was always likely that at least one of these games would be featured in a later time slot. Especially in the case of the Hurricanes (who are currently ranked No. 4 in the country), those types of games generally draw a later time slot given the importance of each week for those teams vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
North Carolina would love to give Miami a scare on Halloween night!
Don't worry, if you like the noon time slot, the good news is that UNC at least has one more noon game on the schedule (vs. UConn on November 7). Who knows: maybe upcoming games against Virginia and NC State will give us more noon kickoffs to enjoy.
Now, the main question is this: what do we do with our extra spare time as we await UNC football?! It's going to be weird having to wait an extra three and a half hours to watch the Tar Heels!
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