Can Drake Maye lead UNC football back to ACC championship? Our game-by-game predictions
UNC football has a neutral-site opener to start a four-game stretch that could define the Tar Heels’ 2023 season.
Following a tough nonconference start, head coach Mack Brown’s squad enters league play and caps its regular season with road games at Clemson and NC State.
UNC will start the year at No. 21 in the AP Top 25 poll. Here are game-by-game predictions for the 2023 Tar Heels football season:
Sept. 2: vs. South Carolina in Charlotte
Last season: Did not play. South Carolina went 8-5.
The buzz: College GameDay chose this matchup as its site for the opening week of the season. Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler should put on a show in Bank of America Stadium, a place both could be playing at as NFL quarterbacks one day. But the Gamecocks have won four of the last five in the series.
The pick: South Carolina wins, 31-30
Sept. 9 vs. App State
Last season: UNC won, 63-61
The buzz: The 2022 meeting was one of the wackiest games of the season. The Mountaineers won 34-31 at Kenan Stadium in 2019, but the Tar Heels have the pieces to enjoy a comfortable home opener against an in-state opponent.
The pick: UNC wins, 40-21
UNC'S DEPTH CHART: What will UNC football’s depth chart look like in season opener? Our final prediction
BOLD PREDICTIONS: Bold predictions for UNC football in 2023 season
FAN SURVEY: UNC football fan survey: How do you feel about Mack Brown’s Tar Heels in 2023?
Sept. 16 vs. Minnesota
Last season: Did not play. Minnesota went 9-4.
The buzz: This will be the first meeting between the programs. The Golden Gophers have logged a winning record in four of the last five seasons, with four bowl victories. But I think they’ll have trouble slowing down Maye at home.
The pick: UNC wins, 31-24
Sept. 23 at Pitt
Last season: UNC won, 40-24
The buzz: The first true road game for the Tar Heels comes at a place where they’ve struggled in recent years. UNC hasn’t won at Pitt since 2017, with the Panthers earning two victories in that stretch. It’s a tough start to the ACC schedule.
The pick: Pitt wins, 28-27
Oct. 7 vs. Syracuse
Last season: Did not play. Syracuse went 7-6.
The buzz: The Tar Heels cruised to a 31-6 win at Kenan Stadium the last time they played the Orange. Following an open week, UNC will build confidence on both sides of the ball.
The pick: UNC wins, 38-20
Oct. 14 vs. Miami
Last season: UNC won, 27-24
The buzz: This should be another quarterback duel between Maye and Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke. Three of the last four games in the series were decided by a field goal. UNC adds another close win here.
The pick: UNC wins, 32-28
Oct. 21 vs. Virginia
Last season: UNC won, 31-28
The buzz: Despite the Cavaliers struggles last season, “The South’s Oldest Rivalry” still came down to the wire. But the Heels have averaged 45 points in the last two meetings with the Hoos.
The pick: UNC wins, 44-21
Oct. 28 at Georgia Tech
Last season: Georgia Tech won, 21-17
The buzz: Last season’s home loss to the Yellow Jackets started UNC’s four-game spiral to end the year. The Tar Heels have heard a lot about that game and their recent history against GT. No letdown this time around.
The pick: UNC wins, 32-19
Nov. 4 vs. Campbell
Last season: Did not play. Campbell went 5-6.
The buzz: The lone FCS opponent on the schedule can be used as a confidence booster for UNC’s roster from top to bottom. Expect a smooth ride before the bumpy stretch at the end of the year.
The pick: UNC wins, 56-7
Nov. 11 vs. Duke
Last season: UNC won, 38-35
The buzz: The Tar Heels won a thriller in Durham last season to keep the Victory Bell for a fourth year in a row. Duke quarterback Riley Leonard and the Devils are capable of getting revenge, but we’ll give the nod to the home squad.
The pick: UNC wins, 33-31
Nov. 18 at No. 9 Clemson
Last season: Clemson won, 39-10
The buzz: A rematch of the 2022 ACC Championship, UNC travels to Death Valley with hopes of snapping a five-game losing streak to the Tigers. But at this point, you gotta see it to believe it.
The pick: Clemson wins, 28-20
Nov. 25 at NC State
Last season: NC State won, 30-27 2OT
The buzz: Despite its injuries, NC State earned a road win at UNC in 2022 regular-season finale. The Wolfpack has won two of the last three meetings in Raleigh and has what looks to be an improved offense.
The pick: NC State wins, 28-27
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC football game-by-game predictions 2023 schedule
