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College Football 2021: Top 3 under-the-radar games to watch in Week 1

By Shane Lunnen

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: The USC Trojans enter the stadium prior to a game against the Washington State Cougars at Los Angeles Coliseum on December 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: The USC Trojans enter the stadium prior to a game against the Washington State Cougars at Los Angeles Coliseum on December 06, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Mead/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

3. (10) North Carolina at Virginia Tech

An early ACC conference game awaits fans on Friday night as the Tar Heels square off in Blacksburg with the Hokies. The winner will get an early leg up in the Coastal division race.

The last two matchups between the schools have been high-scoring affairs, splitting the victories for the home teams. The Tar Heels have not won in Blacksburg since the 2015 season.

North Carolina is one of the favorites to win the Coastal this year. Mack Brown, in his second stint in Chapel Hill, has turned the team around fast. In the two seasons preceding Brown’s arrival, the Tar Heels went 5-18, finishing dead last in the division both seasons. Since then they are 15-10 with two bowl appearances, with one being a victory.

Star quarterback Sam Howell is a Heisman candidate. He will have a new supporting cast around him with the top four offensive skilled players gone to the NFL. But the Tar Heels are not lacking talent. They should still have a great and fun offense to watch.

The Hokies on the other hand are coming off a losing season, their second in five years. Fans are starting to grumble over coach Justin Fuente’s tenure in Blacksburg. However, the Hokies have enough talent to compete this year.

All the pressure is on North Carolina in this one and Virginia Tech hosting. Enter Sandman will be on full blast and the crowd will be roaring to go. Smells of a potential upset and two good offenses are reasons to watch Friday night.

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