Advertisement

UNC-Virginia football game preview, prediction and more

zack pearson
·2 min read
.
.

The North Carolina Tar Heels return from an emotional bye week as they look to end a four-game losing streak. With the passing of Tylee Craft, the Tar Heels are playing for him the rest of the year to honor their teammate.

As they get set for another game, they will head into Charlottesville looking for their first ACC win of the season. It won't be an easy task for the Tar Heels as despite some struggles for Virginia, the Cavaliers have playmakers that can make you pay if you're not on your A game.

And for UNC, giving up big plays has been a problem.

Can UNC get back in the win column and end this losing streak? Will they save their bowl chances this season? Let's get into our game preview, prediction, info and more.

Key to victory for UNC

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 05: Ryland Gandy #10 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Nate McCollum #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heelsduring the second half of the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 05: Ryland Gandy #10 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Nate McCollum #6 of the North Carolina Tar Heelsduring the second half of the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Finish drives with touchdowns. The Tar Heels have found themselves in close games the past few weeks and just haven't been able to finish with wins. Part of that reason is because they aren't finishing drives with touchdowns. That was the case in the loss to Georgia Tech a few weeks back, settling for a field goal to tie the game and then gave up a touchdown a few plays later.

UNC really needs to finish drives in the end zone and put points up on the board.

Something to watch

Oct 5, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) with the ball after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Can UNC limit the big plays? A common theme in UNC's losses this season have been big plays given up defensively. The Tar Heels haven't been able to limit big plays this season and it has killed them.

On the year, the Tar Heels are giving up an average of 6.3 yards per play this season which is 106th in the country.

Game results for each team

Sep 28, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie (5) reacts to a touchdown with tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Sep 28, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie (5) reacts to a touchdown with tight end Bryson Nesbit (18) during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

UNC

  • UNC 19, Minnesota 17

  • UNC 38, Charlotte 20

  • UNC 45, NC Central 10

  • James Madison 70-50

  • Duke 21, UNC 20

  • Pitt 34, UNC 24

  • Georgia Tech 41, UNC 34

Virginia

  • Virginia 34, Richmond 13

  • Virginia 31, Wake Forest 30

  • Maryland 27, Virginia 13

  • Virginia 43, Coastal Carolina 24

  • Virginia 24, Boston College 14

  • Louisville 24, Virginia 20

  • Clemson 48, Virginia 31

Last five UNC-Virginia matchups

2023: Virginia 31, UNC 27 in Chapel Hill

2022: UNC 31, Virginia 28 in Charlottesville

2021: UNC 59, Virginia 39 in Chapel Hill

2020: Virgina 44, UNC 41 in Charlottesville

2019: Virginia 38, UNC 31 in Chapel Hill

What you need to know

.
.

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (3-4, 0-3 ACC) AT Virginia Cavaliers (4-3, 2-2 ACC)WHEN? Saturday, Oct. 26 at 12 p.m. ETWHERE? Scott Stadium in CharlottesvilleTV? The CW RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 194 or 380)WEATHER?  59 degrees, partly cloudyLINE? Virginia -3.5LAST MEETING? Virginia def. UNC 31-27 in 2023ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads 65-59-4PREDICTION? Virginia 31, UNC 28

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : UNC-Virginia football game preview, prediction and more