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Who will be UNC football’s toughest opponent on 2024 schedule? Ranking all 12

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Who will be UNC football’s toughest opponent on 2024 schedule? Ranking all 12

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The North Carolina football schedule for 2024, Mack Brown’s sixth season with the Tar Heels, is expected to be manageable. 

Following the departure of quarterback Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, UNC has questions at quarterback and a new defensive coordinator in Geoff Collins. 

The Tar Heels’ schedule includes road trips to Minnesota, reigning ACC champion Florida State and Duke. UNC closes the regular season with a rivalry matchup against N.C. State, but the Tar Heels won’t play Louisville, Miami or Virginia Tech this season. 

Coming off an 8-5 overall record, including a 4-4 mark in the ACC, UNC heads to Minnesota on Thursday, Aug. 29, for the 2024 opener. 

Which games will be the most difficult for the Tar Heels? Here’s a ranking of each matchup, based on level of difficulty. Location of the game and quality of opponent are factored into the breakdown. 

There’s also a poll included below, allowing fans the chance to vote for the game they’re looking forward to most this season. 

North Carolina Central (Sept. 14) 

NC Central’s 2023 record: 9-3, (4-1 MEAC)

Series record: First meeting

Kickoff: ACC Network Extra, 6 p.m. 

Notes: Following games against Minnesota and Charlotte, the Tar Heels host a program that has experienced a wealth of success at the FCS level. This should be a confidence booster for UNC before James Madison comes to Chapel Hill.

Charlotte (Sept. 7) 

Charlotte’s 2023 record: 3-9 (2-6 CUSA)

Series record: First meeting

Kickoff: ACC Network, 7 p.m. 

Notes: The home opener after a trip to Minnesota, UNC should be able to give its fans plenty to cheer about against a Charlotte squad that four consecutive losing seasons. 

James Madison (Sept. 21) 

James Madison’s 2023 record: 11-2 (7-1 SBC)

Series record: 3-0

Kickoff: ACC Network, 7 p.m. 

Notes: The Tar Heels are 3-0 against the Dukes, but James Madison knocked off Virginia last season and the Cavaliers went on to beat UNC in Chapel Hill. The Dukes have a new coach in Bob Chesney, but this isn’t a team to take lightly. 

Wake Forest (Nov. 16) 

Wake Forest’s 2023 record: 4-8 (1-7 ACC) 

Series record: 72-36-2

Notes: The Tar Heels have won the last three in the series, but these teams delivered three consecutive thrillers. Wake Forest has more questions than UNC, which hasn’t lost to the Demon Deacons in Chapel Hill since 2006.

at Virginia (Oct. 26) 

Virginia’s 2023 record: 3-9 (2-6 ACC) 

Series record: 66-58-4

Notes: “The South’s Oldest Rivalry” started UNC’s string of troubles down the stretch last season. The Cavaliers won three games, but one of those victories was in Chapel Hill. The Heels have lost two of their last three in Charlottesville.

Pitt (Oct. 5) 

Pitt’s 2023 record: 3-9, (2-6 ACC) 

Series record: 12-5 

Notes: UNC has won seven in a row against the Panthers in Chapel Hill. This is homecoming for the Tar Heels against a Pitt program that will have a lot of new faces. 

at Boston College

Boston College’s 2023 record: 7-6 (3-5 ACC) 

Series record: 6-2

Notes: These teams haven’t played since 2020 and UNC has won two of its three games in Chestnut Hill. Former NFL coach Bill O’Brien is in his first season with the Eagles. 

at Duke (Sept. 28) 

Duke’s 2023 record: 8-5 (4-4 ACC) 

Series record: 65-40-4

Notes: The battle for the Victory Bell produced a double-overtime classic last season in Chapel Hill and the last two games have been decided by three or fewer points. UNC has won five in a row and hasn’t lost in Durham since 2018.

Minnesota (Aug. 29) 

Minnesota’s 2023 record: 6-7 (3-6 B10)

Series record: 1-0

Kickoff: FOX, 8 p.m. 

Notes: The Tar Heels dominated on their way to a 31-13 win against the Gophers last season in Chapel Hill. This year, UNC opens on the road with a new quarterback in front of what will likely be a raucous environment on the first night of the season.

Georgia Tech (Oct. 12) 

Georgia Tech’s 2023 record: 7-6, (5-3 ACC) 

Series record: 22-33-3

Notes: The Yellow Jackets have made life miserable for the Heels in recent years, winning five of the last six games in the series. UNC hasn’t beaten Georgia Tech in Chapel Hill since 2016.

NC State (Nov. 30) 

NC State’s 2023 record: 9-4 (6-2 ACC) 

Series record: 68-39-6

Notes: The Tar Heels have lost seven of the last 10 against the Wolfpack, including four of the last five at Kenan Stadium. N.C. State should be among the ACC’s top teams this season. 

at Florida State (Nov. 2) 

Florida State’s 2023 record: 13-1 (9-0 ACC) 

Series record: 3-17-1

Notes: The Seminoles are the reigning ACC champions and the favorite to repeat as the league’s top team. UNC has won two of its last three games in Tallahassee, FSU is positioned for another special season in 2024.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter. 

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