First look: Can UNC football make it three in a row with a win over Wake Forest?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- UNC needs two wins in final three to reach bowl eligibility; offense must improve.
- Wake Forest defense ranks 2nd in ACC, limits scoring and pressures quarterbacks.
- Game key: quick passes, strong line play and June's involvement to sustain drives.
North Carolina’s 20-15 win over Stanford kept its bowl hopes alive — not that Bill Belichick is looking that far ahead.
“Right now, we’re gonna think about what we have we can correct our mistakes from the Stanford game, how to get better, and talk about the things we did well, things we didn’t do well, and then we’ll go on to Wake Forest, and let’s let everything else take care of itself.”
The Tar Heels (4-5, 2-3 ACC) need two wins in their final three games to reach bowl eligibility. They’ll face a Wake Forest team (6-3, 3-3 ACC) this weekend that has put together one of the ACC’s more consistent defensive seasons. The Demon Deacons’ defense ranks second in the conference behind Miami, averaging 20.3 points allowed per game.
“They’re very well coached on defense, a good defensive scheme,” Belichick said. “Same thing in the kicking game. They’re aggressive on special teams and offensively they have been productive... I think they’re well-coached and disciplined.”
Key game matchup: UNC offense must step up
For the Tar Heels to have a chance at winning this one, they need to shore up their offense.
North Carolina has ranked near the bottom of the FBS in most major offensive categories this season. The team struggled, in particular, during its first five games against Power 4 competition — averaging 13.4 points in that stretch. But, since then, UNC has averaged 23.5 points in this winning streak.
“Our guys have done a good job on some of the open-field running opportunities that they’ve had,” Belichick said Saturday following the Stanford win. “So, [we are] just emphasizing running with the ball when it’s in our hands on the short routes, under routes, slants, things like that, gaining those yards after the catch with good running skills.”
Belichick pointed to the explosive plays UNC has had in its last two games. The yards after contact, he said, proved a major factor in the offensive production recently.
Against Syracuse, that came from Demon June. The freshman running back recorded a 72-yard touchdown on a catch-and-run. Wideout Jordan Shipp also had an explosive play in that game — a 21-yard catch — and got loose in the open field against Stanford for a 55-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. That put the Tar Heels up 20-3.
But June was largely nonexistent against the Cardinal, only recording three carries in the win.
“Some of our substitutions are predicated on on certain things, personnel groups other factors... not necessarily that one person’s done anything wrong or right, but just that grouping is more productive,” Belichick said when asked about June’s lack of touches against Stanford.
For UNC to find success in Winston-Salem, the Tar Heels will need Lopez to get the ball out quickly, the offensive line to limit negative plays and June to get active. The Demon Deacons’ defensive prowess suggests the margin for error will be thin.
Key Demon Deacons to watch: Ashford, Claiborne
When asked to preview Wake Forest this past Saturday in his postgame press conference, Belichick admitted he had only done a little preview work on them. Even still, Robby Ashford already stood out.
“Number two, [he’s an] athletic quarterback,” Belichick said. “A lot of differnet things that we need to stop. So we know this is going to be a challenge.”
The dual-threat quarterback, who’s made past stops at South Carolina and Auburn, gives Wake Forest’s offense an added mobility element that can stress defenses.
While his passing numbers have been modest — he has the second-fewest passing yards in the ACC, only ranking ahead of Gio Lopez — his ability to extend plays and pick up yards on the ground has been a steadying factor for the Demon Deacons. Demond Claiborne has been the workhorse of Wake Forest’s offense, logging 131 carries for 714 yards (a mark that ranks top-5 in the ACC) and eight touchdowns in nine games. His physical running style and balance after contact have made him a focal point of the Deacon’s attack, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Claiborne’s ability to generate consistent early-down yardage will be crucial against a Tar Heels squad ranking top-3 in the conference in rushing defense.
Vegas betting line
Wake Forest is the early favorite by 5.5 points. The over/under is set at 39.5 Moneyline: North Carolina +184. Wake Forest -225.
UNC at Wake Forest game info
Teams: UNC (4-5, 2-3 ACC) v. Wake Forest (6-3, 3-3 ACC)
Where: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
Time: 4:30 p.m.
TV: CW
Stream: fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV.
Series history: North Carolina is on a four-game win streak against Wake Forest. The Tar Heels have gone 6-4 in the last 10 matchups against the Demon Deacons.