North Carolina Football: Tarheels look to rebound in 2018
By Shane Lunnen
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.