College Football Rankings 2020: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 9
By Zach Bigalke
Scouting Report. won 48-21 vs. No. 23 NC State. 838. Pick Analysis. 4-1. North Carolina Tar Heels. 12. player
A week after suffering their disappointing upset in Tallahassee, North Carolina returned to Chapel Hill in Week 8 and rebounded with a 48-21 victory over rival NC State in a matchup of ranked ACC teams. The victory could push Mack Brown’s team a few spots up the AP Top 25, though the Tar Heels will continue to hover outside the top 10 when the poll releases ahead of Week 9 play.
Javonte Williams once again dominated on the ground, rushing for 160 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. Michael Carter added 109 rushing yards and a touchdown. Sam Howell had a rushing touchdown as well to go with his 18-of-29 passing effort that netted 252 yards and a score through the air. North Carolina’s defense shut down the Wolfpack in the runaway win, giving up only 34 rushing yards to a one-dimensional NC State offense.
A Halloween trip to Charlottesville to face Virginia awaits North Carolina in Week 9, and then the Tar Heels stay on the road at the beginning of November for another rivalry game against Duke. The bigger tests await around Thanksgiving and in early December, when Notre Dame comes to Chapel Hill and North Carolina takes on Miami on the road.