Virginia vs. North Carolina Fearless Prediction, Game Preview

By Pete Fiutak | October 31, 2019 4:56 pm CT

Virginia vs. North Carolina fearless prediction and game preview.

Virginia vs. North Carolina Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 2nd
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
Network: ACC Network

Virginia (5-3) vs. North Carolina (4-4) Game Preview

Why Virginia Will Win

The North Carolina offensive line is about to be under siege.

The inability to keep QB Sam Howell from getting popped and the mediocre running attack have been a problem throughout the year, and both things are about to be a major issue against a Virginia defensive front that’s way too good at getting into the backfield.

The Cavaliers might have lost to Louisville, but they generated four sacks and nine tackles for loss – that’s nothing new.

The defense has a whole has been more than fine. It’s second in the ACC behind Clemson’s in yards allowed, and it’s a rock against the midrange passing teams. North Carolina can’t win if it’s not throwing well and hitting the big downfield plays.

Even when Howell is on, that’s not always enough for the Tar Heels. They’re going to keep on pushing, but Virginia’s secondary – helped by the pass rush – should be able to hold up. However …

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Why North Carolina Will Win

There aren’t enough playmakers on the Virginia O.

QB Bryce Perkins is having an okay year, but he’s not getting any help from a running game that’s failed to hit 80 yards in four of the last five games. The Cavs are dead last in the ACC in rushing offense, and the passing game isn’t efficient enough to make up for it.

Perkins has thrown for over 200 yards in three of the last four games, and Virginia lost all three of them.

North Carolina might be having problems on the offensive line, but the O is able to put the biscuit in the basket once it gets inside the 20, and it’s able to keep things moving enough to keep the pressure on.

The Tar Heels have a problem figuring out how to come up with wins in close games, but lately, the Cavaliers are having problems, period.

They just aren’t consistent enough, especially on the road. Ever since beating Pitt to open up the season, they’re 4-0 at home and 0-3 on away from Charlottesville.

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What’s Going To Happen

North Carolina already lost to Virginia Tech, and it still has to face Pitt. Virginia already beat Pitt, and it still has to deal with Virginia Tech. The loser is effectively out of the Coastal title hunt, and the winner is knee-deep in it.

Can Virginia finally come up with a decent performance on the road? The pass rush should be just enough to pull this off, but the offense has to be far more effective and show off just a little bit of explosion. That’s not going to happen.

North Carolina will come up with its second straight close win at home after picking off Duke last week. The lack of the Cavalier offensive punch will be on display.

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