North Carolina Football: Tarheels look to rebound in 2018

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 25: Michael Carter #8 celebrates with Brandon Fritts #82 of the North Carolina Tar Heels after scoring a touchdown against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter Finley Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 25: Michael Carter #8 celebrates with Brandon Fritts #82 of the North Carolina Tar Heels after scoring a touchdown against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter Finley Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

Schedule and predictions

Week         Date                             Opponent

1                 Sat, Sept 1                  @ California

2                 Sat, Sept 8                  @ East Carolina

3                 Sat, Sept 15                vs UCF

4                 Sat, Sept 22                vs Pittsburgh

5                 Thu, Sept 27               @ Miami

6                 Sat, Oct 6                     BYE

7                 Sat, Oct 13                   vs Virginia Tech

8                 Sat, Oct 20                  @ Syracuse

9                 Sat, Oct 27                  @ Virginia

10               Sat, Nov 3                    vs Georgia Tech

11               Sat, Nov 10                 @ Duke

12               Sat, Nov 17                 vs Western Carolina

13               Sat, Nov 24                 vs NC State

The Tar Heels must get off to a fast start. The first two games are on the road. Cal is no powerhouse and is certainly beatable, but it is a long trip out west to start the year. Beat both Cal and East Carolina on the road and North Carolina will have a fantastic shot at getting to a bowl.

UCF will be without head coach Scott Frost but still have enough talent to be a tough out. Pitt should be slightly improved, but with the game being in Chapel Hill, it gives the Tar Heels the edge. North Carolina will be big road underdogs at Miami before their off week.

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The back half of the schedule is not daunting but it will be tough. They should hang with both Syracuse and Virginia and need to at least split those road games. Despite having a terrible rush defense, the Tar Heels have beat Georgia Tech’s option three out of the last four games. Rivalry games with Duke and NC State are always tough, but they get the Wolfpack at home to finish the regular season.

Any ACC schedule that avoids both Clemson and Florida State is a gift. The Tar Heels must improve on both sides of the ball to take advantage. Six wins and a bowl bid are achievable goals this year.

Prediction: 6-6