Over the last few weeks, myself and the rest of the RO Sports Show crew have been taking a look at last year’s College Football Playoff teams’ upcoming schedules.
We started with the Oklahoma Sooners, moved onto the Clemson Tigers, looked at the Georgia Bulldogs last week and the Alabama Crimson Tide this week.Â
Since there’s still about a month to go before football is officially back, I would imagine we’ll eventually look at the schedules of some in-state teams such as Duke, NC State and Wake Forest. I’m also sure we’re gonna take a peak at the Tar Heels 2018 football schedule, however, I’m about to jump the gun on that and sneak peek the Heels toughest matchups this year.
Not many breaks went North Carolina’s way last season. Injuries were crippling right from the opening of camp and a poor start sent things spiraling in the wrong direction.
The good news is that the Heels seem to catch a bit of good luck with their 2018 schedule. They do start with two games on the road 3,000 miles apart and they do host UCF. But California is the biggest Power 5 non-conference opponent, they get Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech at home, and they avoid the Atlantic powers in the crossover games.
Here is a ranking of the toughest games on UNC’s 2018 schedule.
12. November 17 vs. Western Carolina
Though UNC only won three games in 2017, one of them was a 65-10 pounding of the Catamounts in the season’s next-to-last weekend. Count on this being deja vu all over again.
11. September 8 at East Carolina
The Pirates have two Coastal division opponents in a row as they go to Blacksburg, Va., the following week. In a big year for head coach Scottie Montgomery, playing two ACC teams may not be the best thing.
10. October 27 at Virginia
The Cavaliers will have a strong secondary, but this is a good matchup for Carolina. The Tar Heels have questions surrounding their run defense but UVA has a suspect ground game.
9. October 20 at Syracuse
Dino Babers knows how to create offense, but the Orange defense has been shaky since he has arrived. Losing the combined 199 tackles of linebackers Parris Bennett and Zaire Franklin won’t help this year’s cause.
8. September 22 vs. Pittsburgh
Quarterback Kenny Pickett hopes to energize the passing attack and should build off a solid junior season. Defensively, the Panthers return seven starters. Six of those are in the front seven, but corners Damar Hamlin and Paris Ford were highly touted recruits coming into Pitt.
7. September 1 vs. California
When the Bears lost their last two games by three points each, they fell to 5-7 and narrowly missed out on bowl season. With 17 starters back, Justin Wilcox’s crew should reach the postseason for the first time in three years, which would be just their third bowl appearance this decade.
6. November 10 at Duke
After winning 21 of 22 meetings, Carolina has dropped four of the last six to its archrivals. Quarterback Daniel Jones has some good skill position players to work with, and the Blue Devils have two stars on defense in linebacker Joe Giles-Harris and cornerback Mark Gilbert.
5. November 24 vs. NC State
Despite the poor results last season, UNC never quit fighting as evidenced by the fact that the Heels hung with a good Wolfpack squad in last year’s final game. NC State quarterback Ryan Finley and many of his top receiving targets return, but head coach Dave Doeren will have to revamp the defense.
4. September 15 vs. UCF
Scott Frost is no longer the head coach, but quarterback McKenzie Milton is still around to create problems. Milton will have plenty of skill position help, but the defensive front seven has some major holes to fill and cornerback Mike Hughes will be sorely missed.
3. October 13 vs. Virginia Tech
UNC gets a talented Hokies team in a perfect spot. Carolina has 15 days off leading into the contest while Virginia Tech hosts Notre Dame in a big showdown at Lane Stadium the week before.
2. November 3 vs. Georgia Tech
This is actually a tricky game for the Yellow Jackets, who play Virginia Tech the week prior with Miami next up on the schedule. Unless North Carolina can shore up its run defense, Paul Johnson’s option attack could give the Heels problems.
1. September 27 at Miami
There isn’t a whole lot to like about this matchup. It’s a short week, on the road, against the best team in the division. Making matters worse is that UNC has a tough game with Pittsburgh on Sept. 22 while Miami hosts FIU.
The Tar Heels have plenty of room for improvement after limping to a 3-9 record in 2017, but it remains to be seen whether they have enough talent to make much progress. Top priorities on offense are patching together a passable offensive line and getting consistent play at quarterback. On defense, UNC must avoid major breakdowns after allowing five runs of more than 50 yards and five touchdowns passes longer than 65 yards a year ago.
With the non-conference schedule that includes two road games and a matchup against UCF, a bowl game would be a good accomplishment. I’m looking at a 5-7 record overall for this season, which means I’m also hoping the Heels will prove me wrong. After last year, there’s only one way to go — up.
