You agree that Carolina’s preseason schedule is over?

Dissecting UNC’s first three games this season, you would have to say they were no more than a warm-up for the heart of the schedule over the next month. It may not have looked that way back in August, but it sure does now.

Georgia is perhaps the weakest 3-0 team in America. A win over the Tar Heels in which they rallied from a 9-point deficit and with the help of Carolina’s miscues down the stretch. A 26-24 win over Nicholls. Nicholls? And beating unranked Missouri on a fourth-down touchdown pass with 90 seconds remaining.

Illinois. Expected big win over Murray State; blown out by the Tar Heels; and then losing to 34-10 to Western Michigan. And James Madison, a very good College Football Subdivision team, but one that could not match the Tar Heels’ size, skill, speed and depth even though the Heels were playing without some key starters. So, what do we have – a 2-1 record that many of us expected, but many more unanswered questions due to the caliber of the competition so far?

Pitt, at Florida State, Virginia Tech and at Miami are the next four opponents for Larry Fedora’s crew, beginning with the Panthers Saturday in Kenan Stadium at 3:30. One could easily make the case that those four teams are way better than anyone Carolina has played so far.

Pitt opened with a 28-7 win over Villanova and then beat in-state rival and Big 10 foe Penn State in a high-scoring close game. The Panthers lost a lightning delayed game at Oklahoma State 45-38 but showed a serious weakness in pass defense, giving up 570 yards through the air to the Cowboys. Record-breaking Mitch Trubisky must have loved seeing those numbers.

Not getting ahead of myself, Florida State will be angry as hell after getting embarrassed by Louisville, Virginia Tech demolished BC 49-0 and Miami waltzed into App State and waltzed out with an easy win. Yep, Carolina fans, now you can really start your engines.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
The Morning News: Hedgepeth Trial Closing Arguments, Early Voting, UNC Football
In today's news: closing arguments wrap up and the jury begins deliberating in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial.
After Big Win, UNC Football Looking to Avoid Emotional Letdown vs. Syracuse
After an emotional victory at Duke last weekend, UNC says the postgame celebrations are in the past, and that the focus now is on Syracuse.
UNC Football vs. Syracuse (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
UNC will look for its third consecutive win when it hosts Syracuse at Kenan Stadium Saturday night. The Tar Heels have won their last three meetings against the Orange by a combined 75 points. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to […]
Who's Excelling? What Could Improve? Positional Midseason Grades for UNC Football
UNC sits at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play halfway through the 2026 football season. The Tar Heels have already matched their win total from a season ago and now have a very reasonable path to a bowl berth in Bill Belichick’s second year. Here are my midseason grades for each Carolina position group: […]
The Morning News: Hedgepeth Trial, Early Voting, Drought, Michelin Award, Board Game Honor
In today's news: closing arguments are set to begin in the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial, after the defense rests without calling witnesses.
Holding Court: A Superstar in UNC Football’s Win vs. Duke, Greg Smith Becoming A Big Name
Halfway through the 2026 season, UNC safety Greg Smith III hold PFF's #1 position grade. His play spells bigger things for him and the Heels.
UNC Football's Jordan Shipp Earns Semifinal Spot for Collegiate Man of the Year Award
UNC junior wide receiver Jordan Shipp is a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, as announced Wednesday.
100 Years of Kenan Stadium: Rick Steinbacher Invades Spain
Rick Steinbacher, UNC's senior associate athletic director for facilities, has a lot on his plate when the Tar Heels play at Kenan Stadium.
2026 UNC Football Opponent Preview: Syracuse
UNC will return home to host Syracuse at Kenan Stadium Saturday night. The Orange enter 2-4 overall and 0-4 in ACC play. Syracuse’s only FBS win this season was an overtime victory at UConn earlier in October. The Orange have lost to Cal, Pitt, Virginia and Louisville in the ACC. Fran Brown is in his […]
On Air Today: 97.9 The Hill's Michael Koh on UNC Football and Men's Basketball, October 19, 2026
The Hill's Michael Koh discusses a busy weekend in sports, from UNC football's win over Duke to the latest basketball exhibition.
›