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
‹
UNC Football at Wake Forest (2025): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff Time
Carolina will make the short drive over to Winston-Salem this weekend to take on Wake Forest. The Tar Heels have won their last four meetings with the Demon Deacons, and each of the last five games between the two teams have been decided by one possession. If you aren’t making the trip with the team, […]
Chansky's Notebook: First of Big 4
Bill Belichick will be surprised how Big Four rivals treat each other at home, sort of like visiting the Bills or the Jets in the AFC East.
UNC Unveils Wall Honoring Military Service at Kenan Football Center
The UNC football program unveiled a new installation at the Kenan Football Center honoring alumni who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The “Honoring Our Military” wall was officially revealed to the public in a special ceremony Tuesday afternoon in recognition of Veterans Day. “As always, it’s really an honor to be part […]
2025 UNC Football Opponent Preview: Wake Forest
Carolina travels to Winston-Salem this weekend to take on Wake Forest. The game is the first of a three-game rivalry swing for the Tar Heels, who will face Duke and NC State in the next two games. The Demon Deacons enter this weekend 6-3 overall and a 3-3 mark in ACC play, having upset Virginia […]
UNC Beats Stanford, Now Faces Stretch of In-State Rivals — The Carolina Football Hour (Nov. 10, 2025)
A 20-15 win over Stanford on Saturday puts UNC football in position to end the year by making a statement and earning bowl eligibility.
UNC's Caleb Wilson, Khmori House Each Earn ACC Player of the Week Honors
Stars from both the UNC men’s basketball and football programs earned ACC honors Monday. Freshman forward Caleb Wilson was named ACC Co-Rookie and Co-Player of the Week (sharing the award with Virginia Tech’s Neoklis Avdalas), while House was named ACC Linebacker of the Week. On the court, Wilson put together one of the best two-game […]
The Monday Morning Huddle: A Hard-Fought Win
UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi joined 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck this morning for “The Monday Morning Huddle,” presented by Chapel Hill Tire. The Tar Heels earned their second consecutive ACC win Saturday at Kenan Stadium, beating visiting Stanford 20-15. The Carolina defense continued to dominate, sacking Cardinal QB Elijah Brown a season-high nine […]
At 4-5 With 3 Games to Go, UNC Football Isn't Thinking About Bowl Eligibility... Yet.
At 4-5 with three games to go, UNC has at least given itself a puncher's chance at playing one more football game in December.
Art’s Angle: Winning Ways
From pitches in South Bend and the Bluegrass State back to hardwood and gridiron in Chapel Hill, UNC teams showed up all weekend.
UNC Football Holds Off Late Stanford Comeback, Wins 2nd Straight ACC Game
UNC’s defense recorded a season-high nine sacks and held off a late Stanford rally to beat the Cardinal 20-15 at Kenan Stadium Saturday night. It’s Carolina’s second straight win. 🗣 HEELS WIN#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/wrvMDUB3uC — Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) November 9, 2025 “It’s good to win. Good to win at home,” head coach Bill Belichick […]
›