Game 1 - Sakerlina Gamecocks (in Charlotte)
Thursday, September 3rd, 6pm on the Mothership
What to expect? Go figure that the most unknown game to me in the 2015 season is the first one. Carolina opens up against a familiar opponent in a Steve Spurrier coached team that ran Carolina out of Columbia two years ago. Spurrier and the Gamecocks are coming their own disappointing season, and off season with lots of personnel and coaching changes (sound familiar?). Sakerlina has faced so much attrition on offense between Graduating Seniors and injuries, I just can't fathom them racking up a ton of points. Their defense like the one Chapel Hill, got carved up like a Christmas Ham and led to many close losses in 2014. Eventhough Spurrier's distate for anything Carolina Tar Heels will rile up his troops in the pregame locker, my gut tells me that they won't be able to stop the Carolina offense. Expect many points to be given up by both teams, with Carolina giving up less.
UNC Win 1-0
Game 2 - North Carolina A&T Aggies
Saturday, September 12t, 6pm on ESPN3
What to Expect? Carolina, fresh off a victory over Sakerlina starts off slow but takes care of business in the second half and runs the Aggies back to Greensboro.
UNC Win 2-0
Game 3 - Illinois Fighting Illini
Saturday, September 19th, High Noon
What to Expect? Prior to troubling news out of Champaign this past week I expected this game to be a very tricky one for the Tar Heels. High Noon at Kenan in front of a so-so crowd doesn't quite get the juices flowing for many folks besides yours truly. Expect this to be an ugly game early with the Heels putting the game out of reach early in the forth quarter.
UNC Win 3-0
Game 4 - Delaware Fighting Blue Hens
Saturday, September 26th,
What to Expect? A second FCS program in 3 weeks, Ohio State pulling out the home-home series really did a number on this year's schedule. I don't see this one close. I mean, it's not like Joe Flacco is walking back through that door for the hens.
UNC Win 4-0
Game 5 - at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Saturday, October 3,
What to Expect? Haven't won in Atlanta in almost two decades. Until Carolina wins here, I'm not predicting a win. Georgia Tech, despite losing what feels like 6 or 7 running backs will have another potent offense behind the best Quarterback they've ever had in this triple option system: Justin Thomas. While GT's lost about what feels like every running back on the roster, they return a massive chunk of a defense that improved down the stretch in 2014. Expect this to be shootout, with the Jackets continuing to own the Heels in ATL.
UNC Loss 4-1
Game 6 - Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Saturday, October 17th
What to Expect? While I believe Wake Forest Football is trending in the right direction under Dave Clausen, I still expect the Deacs 2-3 years away from making some noise to be middle of the pack.
UNC Win 5-1
Game 7 - University of Virginia Cavaliers
Saturday, October 24
What to Expect? One of my favorite statistics in all of football is my rooting interests are undefeated against UVA with Mike London at the helm. Like my convictions about Carolina playing Georgia Tech in Atlanta, I don't expect Carolina (or Virginia Tech for that matter) to lose to a Mike London coached UVA team until it actually happens. This will be stop #7 on the #MikeLondonFarewellTour
UNC Win 6-1
Game 8 - at University of Pittsburgh Panthers
Thursday, October 29th, 730pm on the Mothership
What to Expect? Short week traveling to play a physical road team? This game scares me to death. Some of the kinks Pitt's had on defense should be worked out by the new coaching staff at this point. James Conner is my pick for the ACC Player of the Year in 2015. Behind a mauling offensive line, expect him to have a field day while I watch in person.
UNC Loss 6-2
Game 9 - Duke University Blue Devils
Saturday, November 7th
What to Expect? Even before half of Duke decided to get injured, I saw this team trending in the wrong direction. Sirk will be a very good quarterback and has enough talent around him to pout up some points. I just don't see Duke getting the better of Carolina this year. After a long week, Carolina responds with getting one in the win column.
UNC Win 7-2
Game 10 - University of Miami Hurricanes
Saturday, November 14th
What to expect? Miami beat Carolina's ass from one end of South Florida to the other in 2014. Brad Kaaya returns for a Miami squad who still has a bitter taste in their mouths following a 6-7 season. I have Carolina losing to the other two physical teams on the schedule prior to this game and the Miami game will be no different. Sensing a trend?
UNC Loss 7-3
Game 11 - at Virginia Tech Hokies
Saturday, November 21st
What to Expect? Just like James Conner scares the daylights out of me, so does the Virginia Tech defense this year. Carolina will face one of the best, if not the best, on most likely a cold Senior Night in Blacksburg. Those don't usually fare too well for opponents, just ask Matt Johns. (h/t @TheKeyPlay for the GIF)
UNC Loss 7-4
Game 12 - at NC State University Wolfpack
Saturday, November 28,
What to Expect? After the shellacking the team from West Raleigh put on us this past year I expect Carolina to come out firin'. I still haven't gotten the disgusting taste out of my mouth following the worst performance I've ever watched the Tar Heels put on the field. Nothing would make this guy happier than spoiling Jacoby and noted female assaulter Shadrach Thornton's Senior Day.
UNC Win 8-4
I expect:
- Carolina to improve a bit on defense this year. Last year demise was not solely on the talent in the program, but also the team had just given up on the system and the coach in charge of running the defense. Don't the defense to hold every opponent under 30, but don't expect the 50 spots to litter the scoreboard either.
- Elijah Hood and Bug Howard to have monster years on offense. Hood has had a chip on his shoulder the entire off season after putting together a less than stellar freshman campaign. This year he shows the ACC why he was one of the top recruits coming out of high school. Howard had the best camp of all receivers. Things appear to finally be clicking for the Junior who should see many targets this year with so much focus on stopping Switzer, Davis and Hollins
- Marquise to put together an ACC POY caliber season. He's loaded with weapons and is healthy for the first time in two seasons.
- Carolina to finish in 3 way tie for second in the Coastal.
To another year of Carolina Football.... may you surprise me this year on defense and prove me wrong by ending up in Charlotte the first weekend of December. The time is now. Let's Go!
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