Chapel Hill, N.C. — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University will meet on the gridiron Saturday in a rivalry showdown that dates back more than a century.
The Tar Heels and Wolfpack first met in football in 1894, and the series has been played every year since 1947. UNC holds a 68-37-6 advantage in the all-time series, but NC State has won the last two meetings.
This year’s game is particularly important for both teams. UNC is ranked No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings, while NC State is No. 24. A win for the Tar Heels would keep them in contention for a berth in the College Football Playoff, while a win for the Wolfpack would give them a signature victory and boost their chances of finishing the season ranked in the Top 25.
The game is expected to be a sellout, and the atmosphere should be electric. Both teams have passionate fan bases, and the rivalry is one of the most intense in college football.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams and the key storylines to watch in Saturday’s game:
The Tar Heels are led by quarterback Drake Maye, who is one of the most dynamic players in the country. Maye is a dual-threat quarterback who can beat teams with his arm and his legs. He has thrown for 3,115 yards and 35 touchdowns this season, and he has also rushed for 653 yards and 10 touchdowns.
UNC’s offense is also led by running back Evan Hull, who is averaging 5.4 yards per carry this season. The Tar Heels have a talented wide receiver corps led by Josh Downs, who has 94 catches for 1,272 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.
The Tar Heels’ defense is led by linebacker Cedric Gray, who is the team’s leading tackler. UNC’s defense has been solid this season, allowing just 18.9 points per game.
The Wolfpack are led by quarterback Devin Leary, who is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the ACC. Leary has thrown for 3,433 yards and 35 touchdowns this season, and he has also rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns.
NC State’s offense is also led by running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, who is averaging 4.9 yards per carry this season. The Wolfpack have a talented wide receiver corps led by Thayer Thomas, who has 76 catches for 1,127 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
The Wolfpack’s defense is led by linebacker Drake Thomas, who is the team’s leading tackler. NC State’s defense has been solid this season, allowing just 21.9 points per game.
There are several key storylines to watch in Saturday’s game:
- The quarterback matchup: Maye and Leary are two of the best quarterbacks in the ACC. This matchup will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the game.
- The running game: Both UNC and NC State have talented running backs. The team that can establish the running game will have a major advantage.
- The wide receivers: Both teams have talented wide receiver corps. The team that can get its wide receivers open will have a major advantage.
- The defense: Both UNC and NC State have solid defenses. The team that can get stops when it needs them will have a major advantage.
- The home-field advantage: UNC is playing at home, which could give them a slight advantage.
This is a tough game to predict, but I think UNC will win by a narrow margin. Maye is the best player on the field, and I think he will make the difference in the game.
UNC 31, NC State 27
The reaction to the game was mixed. Some fans were happy with the outcome, while others were disappointed. Here are some of the reactions from fans on social media:
- “What a great game! I’m so glad UNC won.”
- “I’m so disappointed that NC State lost. But I have to give credit to UNC. They played a great game.”
- “This rivalry is the best in college football. I can’t wait for next year’s game.”
The UNC vs. NC State rivalry is one of the most intense in college football. Saturday’s game was a classic, and it lived up to the hype. I’m glad that I got to witness this great game, and I can’t wait for next year’s game.
