First look: What to know about UNC football’s game against No. 16 UVA

North Carolina was a yard away — if that — from its first ACC win and first signature victory under Bill Belichick. Instead, Cal defensive back Brent Austin’s goal-line strip of Nathan Leacock sent the Tar Heels back to Chapel Hill with a 2-4 record and two ACC losses.

UNC has a chance to rectify that against Virginia on Saturday, but face a tall task in The South’s Oldest Rivalry. The Cavaliers (6-1, 3-0) are one of three ACC squads unbeaten in conference play.

The Tar Heels will look to build on some of the positives that emerged from a more competitive game played against Berkeley. Quarterback Gio Lopez was nowhere near perfect, but far more steady, at signal caller. Running back Benjamin Hall broke out for a season-best 68 rushing yards and a touchdown. And Kobe Paysour, who finished with six catches for 101 yards, recorded his first touchdown since 2023.

Paysour’s emergence, in particular, is promising. The fifth-year senior wideout played a season-high 55 snaps and provided some much-needed versatility for a Tar Heel offense that’s struggled mightily this season — ranking 131 out of 134 FBS teams in total offense.

“I mean, it’s gonna open up the offense even more,” Lopez said of Paysour after UNC’s 21-18 loss to Cal.

The path back hasn’t been easy for Paysour. Injuries limited him the past two seasons and the wideout entered Friday night with two receptions this fall — one against UCF and one against Clemson.

But his persistence paid off and, against Cal, he proved to be a reliable option next to Jordan Shipp.

“It felt great,” Paysour said. “Like just being out there making plays, just having the coaches trust in me, that was the big part of the game today. It made me feel good.”

UNC’s 287 yards were the most for the team this season against a Power Four opponent, and Lopez — a transfer from South Alabama — continued to settle in as quarterback.

“I thought we played with confidence,” Belichick said after North Carolina’s loss to Cal. “We competed and our group showed toughness. Just have to do some things fundamentally better, obviously.”

Key game matchup: Virginia offense, Taylor vs. Steve Belichick

The Cavaliers boast the top offense in the conference this season, averaging 40 points per game. Their ground game is a big part of that, ranking top-3 in the ACC with an average of 203.9 rushing yards per game.

J’Mari Taylor, in particular, has been a problem for opponents this season. The graduate running back and North Carolina Central transfer ranks No. 6 in the conference in rushing this season.

He also has a penchant for showing up in big games. Taylor scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime at Louisville earlier this month. Last month, he rushed for 99 yards, one touchdown and a career-high 27 carries in a double-overtime win over No. 8 Florida State.

Steve Belichick and his defense will have their hands full with UVA’s balanced attack, but limiting Taylor’s ground game should give the Tar Heels a better chance at upsetting the Hoos.

UVA impact players: Morris, Edrine

Chandler Morris could’ve come to UNC. The sixth-year senior who previously played at Oklahoma, TCU and North Texas made it known he was interested in playing for Belichick, per The Athletic. According to that same report, released Oct. 10, general manager Michael Lombardi didn’t want Morris.

Virginia, a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2019, is already bowl-eligible and off to its best start since 2007 behind Morris. The signal caller has already racked up 1,607 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. His 76.2 total quarterback rating ranks 24th in the nation, per ESPN.

Don’t be surprised when Morris targets Jahmal Edrine, the graduate transfer from Purdue who caught five passes for a season-high 102 yards on Saturday against Washington State. Two of those catches came on a crucial 97-yard touchdown drive that cut UVA’s deficit to three in the fourth quarter of an eventual 22-20 win.

Vegas betting odds

FanDuel Sportsbook has Virginia as 9.5-point favorites and set the over/under at 52.5. The moneyline: North Carolina +280 and UVA -360.

UNC vs California game info

What: North Carolina Tar Heels (2-4, 0-2 ACC) v. Virginia Cavaliers (6-1, 3-0 ACC)

When: Saturday, Oct. 25 at 12:00 p.m. EST

Where: Chapel Hill, N.C. (Kenan Stadium)

TV: ACC Network

Stream: fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV

Series history: North Carolina is 67-58 all-time against Virginia. The last time the two teams faced off at Kenan Stadium, the Cavaliers upset the then-No. 10 Tar Heels, 31-27, in 2023.

This story was originally published October 20, 2025 at 5:30 AM.