Gameday Guide: UNC versus Georgia Tech

Despite a 1-6 record and the possibility of a bowl game all but extinguished, UNC enters this game against Georgia Tech with high stakes. Former Clemson quarterback and graduate transfer Kelly Bryant is taking his official visit to Chapel Hill, several high-ranked basketball recruits are also on campus and it’s homecoming weekend. So while the Tar Heels might not have much to play for on the football field, there will still be a raucous home atmosphere and excitement around town.

How to Watch/Listen

Kickoff: 12:15 p.m. ET

Before the game, 97.9 The Hill WCHL will be live from Southern Season at University Place with our pregame show. Inside Carolina kicks off the show at 9:00 a.m. and Countdown to Kickoff, presented by UNC Health Care, airs at 10:00 p.m.

If you’re waiting for a shuttle to the game, or just interested in stopping by to see the live broadcast, Southern Season will be selling pulled pork sliders, hamburgers and more from the Big Green Egg. The First 50 Guests will receive a free hot dog, burger or pulled pork slider!

97.9 The Hill WCHL will be broadcasting every UNC football game this season. Find the broadcast on 97.9 FM, 1360 AM or streaming online at chapelboro.com. The game will available through the ACC Network or the WatchESPN app.

Game Preview

As the UNC football team looks to avoid slipping to 1-7 this Saturday when it hosts Georgia Tech at Kenan Stadium, head coach Larry Fedora is relying on his leaders to keep the locker room together and prevent this season from going off the cliff over the final four weeks.

“When you’re sitting in the situation we’re in—and we’ve been so close in so many weeks—and you haven’t been able to get over the hump, you’re trying to leave no stone unturned when you’re looking for changes that can be made to help us win,” Fedora told reporters during his weekly press conference on Monday.

The last year and a half have been among the most disappointing in Tar Heel history. That much is tough to deny.

Read the rest of the UNC vs. Georgia Tech preview here.

Parking

A full guide to game-day parking around Kenan Stadium (along with shuttles and bus routes) can be found here, but when it comes to parking in downtown Chapel Hill, you’ve got a few extra choices. Of course, you can always chance it on finding a street spot to parallel park into, but visiting Park on The Hill could help you find a spot that’s a sure bet. The site clearly maps out different parking lots and locations for the smoothest downtown parking experience possible. Keep in mind that parking procedures around Chapel Hill have changed in some areas, so be on the lookout for new meters, and keep the Tar Heel Express in mind as a quick and efficient public transportation option.

Where to Watch

For Tar Heels far out of town, there are Carolina Clubs set up worldwide that provide a familiar atmosphere for UNC fans to meet up and catch the game together. Of course, if you’re closer to home, there are a great deal of options around town.

Kenan Stadium may have new 22-inch wide seats, complete with armrests, but if you’re not attending a Tar Heel football game in-person – or if you’d rather not deal with parking close to Kenan on game day – Franklin Street is the place to be.

Downtown Chapel Hill has plenty of places for fans looking for food, drinks and football action, whether you’re looking for a local legend, a storied sandwich or just as large a television as possible.

• Might as Well is a sports bar in Chapel Hill with a sister location in Wilmington, and offers something of a rarity in Chapel Hill: dedicated parking. There’s free parking available in the lot behind the bar on Rosemary Street, where you can store your wheels free of charge after 5 p.m. during the week and all through the weekend. The bar also plays games from NFL’s Sunday Ticket broadcast, so it isn’t just college ball you’ll find playing on the big screens!
• Linda’s is home to everything from loaded tater tots to salmon cakes, but it’s the legendary pulled pot roast sandwich — called “The Murph” — that’s fueled countless Franklin Street expeditions.
• Four Corners, named for the famous Tar Heel offensive strategy, is naturally a fit for basketball – but the bar is no slouch when it comes to football season, either! With well-placed TVs all across the establishment and a well-stocked bar with plenty of draft beer, Four Corners is a perfect place to post up. If you come hungry, blackened chicken Cajun alfredo is decidedly the way to go.
• If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, the Dead Mule Club – affectionately termed as “the best half-assed bar in Chapel Hill” – is the place to be. The Dead Mule is a local institution, hosting patrons since 1994 and serving over 70 varieties of whisky and 50 different beers. The little white house boasts a porch along with an indoor lounge, and offers a great location to not only watch the game, but also have a conversation and grab a bite from a small kitchen with some fantastic daily specials heavily focused on local food.
• Goodfellows isn’t just home to Picklebacks and “perfect pints,” but also plenty of seats with strategically positioned TVs above. The underground bar also allows patrons to bring in food, so you can take your to-go order or pre-game meal downstairs and get situated. Free popcorn, friendly bartenders and a raucous atmosphere all add up to a great place to be on game day.
• A relative newcomer to Franklin, Sup Dogs has expanded out from Greenville with its signature — and reasonably priced — offerings of ridiculously topped hot dogs and all the fried sides that accompany them. Conveniently placed in the middle of the main drag of Franklin Street, Sup Dogs can act either as a place to watch the entire game or a way station between bar-hopping destinations. As far as drinks go, the “Orange Sup Crush” comes particularly highly recommended — mostly because of the full orange that’s freshly squeezed into it!
• Of course, no list of potential places to watch Tar Heels sports would be complete without Top of the Hill. Views looking down on Franklin’s liveliest intersection and great food and drinks pair up for a high-class experience that takes the best Chapel Hill has to offer and puts it on a rooftop. Reservations aren’t accepted on game days, however, so you’ll have to show up appropriately early to secure a spot.