North Carolina Football: Tar Heels ready for run at ACC title

North Carolina has some tricky landmines on its schedule in 2021

North Carolina is going to catch a break by avoiding Clemson in cross-division play, but there are some tricky spots on this schedule.

The Tar Heels were upset by Florida State and Virginia last season and they need to show they are capable of staying focused and taking on a schedule against teams they are favored against.

• Game 1: At Virginia Tech (W)- Road games in Blacksburg are usually tough, but this Virginia Tech might not be very good this season.
• Game 2: Georgia State (W)- The Panthers are the most underrated team in the Sun Belt, but they have no shot in this game.
• Game 3: Virginia (W)- The Cavaliers upset the Tar Heels last season and North Carolina will be out for revenge this time around.
• Game 4: At Georgia Tech (W)- The Yellow Jackets are improving, but they are not ready for this game.
• Game 5: Duke (W)- Duke is the worst team in the ACC this season and UNC will blow out their biggest rival.
• Game 6: Florida State (W)- Mack Brown will get his first win over the Seminoles
• Game 7: Miami (W)- This game is likely to decide the Coastal Division and North Carolina humiliated the Hurricanes last season. This game will be closer, but the Tar Heels win their third straight over Miami.
• Game 8: At Notre Dame (L)- The Fighting Irish topped UNC last season and I think they beat the Tar Heels again.
• Game 9: Wake Forest (W)- North Carolina is playing the Demon Deacons in a non-conference game that ends in victory.
• Game 10: At Pittsburgh (W)- This could be a tricky Thursday night game, but Howell finds a way to win.
• Game 11: Wofford (W)- North Carolina wins big in their easiest game of the season.
• Game 12: At NC State (L)- The Wolfpack are the most underrated team in the ACC this season and they pull the upset on a Friday night.

Final Record: 10-2, 7-1 ACC

There are some tricky spots for Carolina on this schedule. Weekday night games against Pitt and NC State are not going to be easy and a road game against Notre Dame will be a tough test. The game to circle as the most important will be the home game against Miami on October 16th.