North Carolina heads into Week 3 with some real momentum, and the setup in Clemson is fascinating. Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels are 2-0, their defense has been stingy, and Billy Edwards Jr. has given the offense enough juice to make this opener in ACC play feel very live.
Clemson, meanwhile, is still trying to find its footing. The Tigers got pushed around by LSU in Week 1 and then managed only 22 points against Georgia Southern in Week 2.
The quarterback situation hasn’t helped matters either, with the Tait Reynolds and Christopher Vizzina combination producing uneven results. Even with those concerns, Clemson is still favored at home.
Edwards has been efficient through two games. Against TCU in Week 0, he completed 16 of 28 passes for 232 yards without throwing an interception, and that helped UNC escape with an upset win. He followed that up with a sharper performance against East Tennessee State, going 15 of 20 for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
The Tar Heels have also done their part on defense. They held TCU to 2.7 yards per carry and just 175 passing yards in that Week 0 win, and they’ve allowed only 13 total points so far this season.
Clemson’s offense hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. Against Georgia Southern, the Tigers averaged 3.8 yards per carry and finished with under 400 total yards, even though the defense was better than it was in the LSU loss. Vizzina has been intercepted twice on 23 attempts this season, and both Clemson quarterbacks are completing under 61 percent of their passes.
That’s why UNC feels like a dangerous underdog here. The Tar Heels already proved they can win a tight game against TCU, and they’ve looked solid enough on both sides of the ball to make this a real test for Clemson. Belichick’s group should be able to stay in it, and an upset wouldn’t be a surprise.
In Other News...
Bill Belichick's Viral UNC Interview Just Added To A Growing Problem
Bill Belichicks arrival in Chapel Hill was always going to bring a national spotlight, and UNC has gotten plenty of it since he took over on a five-year deal. The first season was a rough one, with the Tar Heels finishing 4-8, but the new year has at least opened with some signs of life, including a recent win over East Tennessee State that gave the program a small lift after a difficult debut.
Still, the attention around the program has not been limited to what is happening on the field. UNC is dealing with an internal human resources investigation, and the ripple effects have already been felt in the building, with general manager Michael Lombardi resigning and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick on medical leave. For a program trying to steady itself under a high-profile coach, the off-field backdrop has only made the next steps more complicated. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Football Now Faces A Troubling Availability Question Before Saturday
Four North Carolina football players were involved in a traffic stop in Chapel Hill this week, adding another layer of uncertainty to a Tar Heels program already trying to sort out its availability picture for Saturday. During the stop, one player was arrested on a misdemeanor gun charge and another was cited for speeding, while marijuana was also seized, according to the facts available. The university has said it is cooperating with officials and has not yet announced any disciplinary action.
What matters most for the Tar Heels now is how the situation filters into game day preparation. Two of the players involved are already listed as unavailable for the upcoming game, leaving UNC to manage the on-field ripple effects while the off-field review plays out. For a team trying to keep its focus on the next matchup, the timing is far from ideal, and there is still an open question about whether the availability list will change again before Saturday. [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Suddenly Have A Roster Fight That Could Change This Season
A new eligibility fight has put several Tar Heels back in the middle of the NCAAs shifting rules, with Rece Verhoff, Ryleigh Heck, Dani Mendez and Sietske Brning joining an amended complaint in Monroe Circuit Court. The case is centered on the NCAAs new five-for-five age-based model, and the players are asking for a fifth season after arguing that athletes from the high school Class of 2022 who played four straight seasons without redshirting were left out of the extra-year window.
What makes the case worth watching from North Carolinas side is the timing. The court has already taken testimony on a preliminary injunction request, and the ruling is still pending, leaving the Tar Heels in a holding pattern as the season picture comes into focus. For a program trying to sort out its roster and its competitive ceiling, this is the kind of off-court development that can ripple quickly once a decision finally lands. [Read more 🡒]