UNC vs Notre Dame prediction: Will Greg Smith, Tar Heels pull off upset?
Here are some players to watch and a prediction for UNC football vs. No. 3 Notre Dame in Week 5 at Kenan Stadium.
In a potential historic matchup, No. 3 Notre Dame will face off against UNC football at Kenan Stadium. Bill Belichick's Tar Heels seek their first victory against a top-three team, aiming for a win since 2004. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET, and ESPN will broadcast the game. The Fighting Irish, who haven't beaten Notre Dame since 2008, have struggled against ranked opponents this season, losing 17-16 to Virginia in overtime.
Three keys to an upset involve UNC's defense, led by sophomore star Greg Smith. The Tar Heels must create turnovers against Notre Dame's offense, which has only one turnover this season. Quarterback CJ Carr and wide receiver Jordan Faison are expected to lead the Irish, but Notre Dame's defense is elite at limiting opponents to 8 points per game. They have allowed fewer than 200 yards per game, presenting a challenge for UNC's offense.
To secure a win, UNC will need explosive plays from the passing game. Running back Benjamin Hall and the Tar Heels' rushing offense will be crucial, but they must find success in passing situations with key players like Edwards Jr., Hall, Jelani Thurman, and Jordan Shipp. With consistent field-goal decisions from newly returned kicker Rece Verhoff, the game could remain low-scoring, making Verhoff's accuracy a deciding factor.
Notre Dame enters the game with a 14-game winning streak, and their talent and identity advantage could make the upset a challenging feat.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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