UNC football is rolling as it enters the final stretch of the 2024 season.

Following road wins at Virginia and Florida State by an average of 25.5 points, the Tar Heels (5-4, 2-3 ACC) put themselves in position to become bowl eligible.

Coming off its idle week, UNC is back at Kenan Stadium on Saturday (8 p.m., ACC Network) to host in-state rival Wake Forest (4-5, 2-3). The Heels have won three in a row against the Demon Deacons, who haven’t won in Chapel Hill since 2006.

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Here’s a look at things to watch and a score prediction for the 111th meeting between UNC and Wake Forest.

UNC football and Wake Forest in another shootout?

If recent history is an indicator, the Tar Heels and Demon Deacons should provide plenty of fireworks. Both teams have scored at least 50 points in two of the last three meetings, and UNC is 26th nationally in scoring offense at 34 points per game. Wake Forest hasn’t fared as well at maintaining its high-powered reputation, averaging 28.1 points per game at No. 65 in the country. But the last time the Deacs played an in-state rival, they earned a 34-30 win at N.C. State.

Beau Atkinson shining in underrated role for Tar Heels defense

Kaimon Rucker and Jahravee Ritzie are the pillars of UNC’s pass rush and run defense, but Beau Atkinson has been right behind them as one of the Tar Heels’ top defensive linemen in the last two games. Atkinson, a sophomore, combined for 5½ sacks against Virginia and FSU. He had a career-high 4½ tackles for loss and 3½ sacks against the ‘Noles. UNC is fourth nationally with 32 sacks and Wake Forest is 120th with 29 sacks allowed.

Demond Claiborne, Demon Deacons have been road warriors

Wake Forest is undefeated on the road this season, winning three of its four games away from Winston-Salem. Running back Demond Claiborne has powered those efforts, averaging 107.6 rushing yards with five TDs, including two rushing scores each against N.C. State and UConn. In the midst of its two-game winning streak, UNC allowed a combined 49 rushing yards against Virginia and FSU. If the Heels can limit Wake Forest on the ground, the path to victory becomes much smoother.

UNC vs Wake Forest score prediction

UNC 36, Wake Forest 23: The Tar Heels will continue to lean on star running back Omarion Hampton and a resurgent defense to become bowl eligible under the lights on Saturday night in Chapel Hill.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC football vs Wake Forest: Score prediction, scouting report