After an usual offseason, UNC is ready to take the field against Syracuse on Saturday for Tar Heels’ first game of the 2020 college football season.

The coronavirus pandemic has altered the landscape of college football immensely. The Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences have opted to postpone their seasons due to the pandemic, leaving the ACC, SEC and Big 12 as the remaining Power 5 conferences to play. The college football season has already begun, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, things can change at a moment’s notice.

Mack Brown has praised his team for coming together and staying safe during the pandemic, saying they’ve embraced the “bubble” mentality that is required to get through this season.

Chapel Hill will also look very different on gameday. Fans are not allowed in the stands at football games or other athletic events at least through September. Tailgating is also forbidden on campus. Although there will be no crowd noise, music will be played in the stadium between plays, something Brown said gives the game an atmosphere of a scrimmage rather than a real competition.

UNC is a 19.5 point favorite over Syracuse at the time of publishing.

Kickoff Time

Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. from Chapel Hill. No fans will be allowed in the stands at Kenan Stadium and tailgating on UNC’s campus is forbidden.

Broadcast Schedule

97.9 The Hill is broadcasting every North Carolina football game this season.

Our coverage of UNC vs. Syracuse begins at 9 a.m. with the Inside Carolina Live pregame show. At 11, our broadcast will switch to the UNC football pre-game show with Jones Angell and the Tar Heel Sports Network.

Following the game, 97.9 The Hill will carry an hour long post-game wrap-up show followed by “On the Heels.”

You can find our broadcast of the game on 97.9 FM and 1360 AM or streaming online on Chapelboro.com.

TV Schedule

The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network. As of today, Spectrum, AT&T U-verse, Dish and DirectTV all carry ESPN and the ACC Network.

What if I don’t have cable?

A live stream will be available on ESPN’s digital platforms through the ACC Network.

Additionally, several cord-cutting options carry the new ACC Network.

YouTube TV prices at $50/month and carries all of ESPN’s channels (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, etc.) as well as the ACC Network.

Hulu TV goes for $45/month and includes all ESPN channels, but does not carry MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network or NFL Red Zone.

Sling TV is the cheapest at $25/month, but includes the fewest channels. Make sure to avoid Sling Blue, as that package does not carry ESPN.

The best way to watch UNC football games

Here’s the best way to watch North Carolina football games (if you’re not in attendance):

  1. Turn on the game with your preferred cable provider
  2. Mute your television
  3. Tune in to 97.9 The Hill on your radio OR streaming online at Chapelboro.com
  4. Sync up the feeds to hear Jones Angell and company announce the games

 

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