Carolina has what could be termed a 3-4-5 game schedule.

Perhaps the easiest way to determine if the Tar Heels can get to at least 9 wins this fall, which considering a far tougher schedule than a year ago would be as good as 11-1, is to divide the season into 3, 4 and 5-game segments from start to finish.

The first three are non-conference games against Georgia, Illinois and James Madison. Losing to the Bulldogs Saturday night in Atlanta and then winning at Illinois and the home opener against JMU is the worst that segment can be if a big season is in store. Upsetting the Bulldogs would be, obviously, a brilliant start.

The next four games will, in all likelihood, make or break Carolina’s season. Home against Pitt and Virginia Tech and trips to Florida State and Miami represent one wicked stretch. Going 2-2 is the worst that can be if the Heels are to stay on track. Obviously, 3-1 would be better. Then come the last five games, which provide an opportunity to steamroll to another Coastal Division title and play for the ACC championship again.

Those five are at Virginia, home to Georgia Tech, at Duke and back home to finish with The Citadel and N.C. State. If Larry Fedora’ fifth UNC team is as good as advertised, it should go 5-0 or at least 4-1, losing only to Georgia Tech. But that game is in Kenan and like several other teams in the ACC the Tar Heels have their bye week to prepare for the Yellow Jackets’ triple option.

So in those three segments, going 2-1, 2-2 and 5-0 gets you to 9-3 and perhaps the Coastal crown with a 6-2 record. Even going 2-1, 2-2 and 4-1 would finish the regular season at 8-4 and in contention for the division. It is easy to see how the season could spike even better than that by beating Georgia, going 3-1 in the middle 4 games and running the table for a second straight 11-1 record and almost assuredly another trip to Charlotte to play for the ACC title.

It could also go the other way, by losing to Georgia, going 1-3 in the next four games and losing to Georgia Teach to finish 7-5. That would be a real downer after how hyped we are all to get it started.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
Chansky's Notebook: Quarterback Eras
Drake Maye, the former superstar at UNC and current MVP candidate in the NFL, has some striking similarities to a certain former Patriot QB.
College Football's Transfer Portal Opens Jan. 2. Which Tar Heels Are Planning to Enter?
The college football transfer portal will open Friday, Jan. 2 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16. It will be the only transfer portal window of the year for college football, as the NCAA moved to eliminate the spring transfer window earlier this year. Players do not have to have committed to and […]
Top Stories of 2025: Bill Belichick's Debut Season with UNC Football Backfires
With the hiring of Bill Belichick as head coach, UNC assured itself of one thing: there would be more eyes on the Tar Heels than ever before.
Report: UNC QB Bryce Baker Plans to Enter Transfer Portal
According to numerous sources, UNC true freshman quarterback Bryce Baker is planning to enter the transfer portal once it opens Jan. 2. Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports first reported the news. BREAKING: North Carolina true freshman QB Bryce Baker is entering the @TransferPortal, @On3Sports has learned He was ranked as a Top 65 Recruit (No. […]
Report: UNC Football Hiring Bobby Petrino as Offensive Coordinator
According to reports from Inside Carolina and On3 Sports, UNC is hiring Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino as its next offensive coordinator. Petrino will replace Freddie Kitchens, who was fired after his lone season calling plays in 2025. The UNC offense fizzled more than it popped under Kitchens’ leadership. The Tar Heels were one of just two […]
Chansky's Notebook: Coaching Cuts
Bill Belichick has fired two of his assistant coaches, but it's unclear where UNC will go for its upcoming hires.
UNC Football: Belichick Fires Assistants Freddie Kitchens, Mike Priefer
UNC football head coach Bill Belichick has begun shaking up his coaching staff, as he announced the firings of both offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer Friday morning. “We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in […]
Chansky's Notebook: Year One Done
The Bill Belichick Era at UNC is officially one year old. Right now, at least, infamy is the softest way to describe it.
Chansky's Notebook: Pro Football School
Drake Maye is getting most of the publicity, but several of his former teammates at UNC are also in the league this season.
UNC Linebacker Khmori House to Enter Transfer Portal
UNC starting linebacker Khmori House plans to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. The portal will officially open January 2. View this post on Instagram House arrived in Chapel Hill via the transfer portal from the University of Washington last offseason. A sophomore, House led UNC in tackles with 78. He […]
›