North Carolina Football: Ranking 2020 opponents by toughness

Pat Narduzzi has come under fire a little bit this offseason for some of his vocal treatment of players, but if he doesn’t prove to be more of an above average coach in 2020, his time in Pittsburgh could be running out. Since taking the job as head coach, he’s 36-29 overall, but he is coming off a solid 8-5 season with a Quick Lane Bowl win.

Pitt could be a top contender in the ACC Coastal and North Carolina will need to notch a win here at home if it’s going to stay atop the division.

Kenny Pickett is back and so are the team’s top three rushers and three of the top four receivers. Defensively, this team was surprisingly solid in 2019, finishing No. 15 in the country for total defense and 34th in scoring defense.

Virginia went from No. 1 in the ACC Coastal last season to projected to finish near the bottom of the division in 2020.

A reason for this drop in expectations has nothing to do with Bronco Mendenhall, but rather the departures of stars Bryce Perkins and Bryce Hall. Moreover, the Cavaliers lose their top two receivers as well as sack leader Jordan Mack. There’s not much of a doubt that this team will take a step back, but facing Virginia on the road is never a cakewalk.