UNC Football: A Look at the Schedule, Can the 'Heels Win the ACC?

The 'Heels are preparing for a huge football season. The team, specifically the defense, seems to have the talent to win an ACC Championship. Does the schedule give them a chance to do that?

Here is a brief, early look at the 2010 schedule:

The first game is the big one. It is the ACC vs. the SEC on national television for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

The UNC football season will kick-off in Atlanta on September 4 for a meeting with the LSU Tigers.

This is a highly anticipated matchup that will pit two Top 25 teams against each other from rival conferences.  

This is a must watch!

The game is scheduled for 8 o’clock on ABC.

Up next is the first ACC matchup for the 'Heels. The 'Heels have to play a very good Georgia Tech team on Sep. 18, after an early bye week.

This game would be a key win for both teams, each of whom are looking to win the Coastal Division. It will be a great defense versus an always outstanding offense, despite Paul Johnson losing some of his firepower.

The next two games will be against teams from outside of the conference. On September 25, they play a good Rutgers team, and then they play rival East Carolina on October 2—always a great in-state matchup.

Butch Davis’ team then goes back into ACC play with three back-to-back ACC games. The games include playing a good Clemson team Oct. 9, traveling to Charlottesville to take on Virginia on Oct. 16, and going to “The U” to play Miami on Oct.  23. All three teams will be good, but expect Miami to be much improved this season.

The last non-conference game will be October 30 vs. William and Mary. This should be an easy win after playing three tough ACC games.

The schedule does not get any easier after William and Mary. Florida State comes next. With new coach Jimbo Fisher, FSU may be able to get back on track. This game is scheduled for Nov. 6.

The toughest game of the year will be Nov. 13 against Virginia Tech. They are easily a Top 10 team, and more than likely, Top Five. A tough game, but a need-to-win for the 'Heels.

North Carolina State will not be the last team on the schedule this year. That right will go back to Duke. On Nov. 20, UNC will face a N.C. State team that continues to give them trouble.

As previously stated, the final game will be against Duke on Nov. 27. Duke continues to improve, but they must replace quarterback Thaddeus Lewis.

This is not an easy schedule, especially with the bye week taking place so early in the season. In most early preseason polls, five of North Carolina’s 12 opponents are in the Top 25.

The schedule looks to be pretty tough, but this is a good team that is up to the challenge. They have to be if they want to contend for the ACC title.

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