Few people gave UNC even the slightest chance of competing on Halloween, withodds favoring the visiting Hurricanes by 14. North Carolina just lost against then-2-win Syracuse on October 24, further reason for skepticism.
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The Tar Heels lost, 38-35, in their second-straight night game. UNC (4-4, 2-3 ACC) will be on the road this coming weekend at UConn, then return home to host Louisville on November 14.
North Carolina just learned kickoff time for its next home game. On Monday, theTar Heelsannounced they'll kick off against the Cardinals at 7 or 7:30 p.m. ET, with ESPN2 or the ACC Network scheduled to carry this ACC clash.
After playing five straight 12 p.m. games to open 2026,UNC hosted consecutive night games. North Carolina will kick off at noon against the Huskies (4-4) this coming weekend, then return to another night game.
Once-ranked Louisville (5-3, 4-2) recovered since starting 2-3, winning three straight games, most recent a 52-24 stomping of Stanford on Halloween. The Cardinals have an electric offense led by Ohio State transfer Lincoln Keinholz (2,094 passing yards, 12 TDs), but their defense ranks near the bottom amongst FBS programs.
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The Tar Heels need just two more wins toreach bowl eligibilityafter their 2025 absence. UConn isn't anything special, giving UNC a should-be win, but we said the same thing about Syracuse (4-4, 2-4 ACC).
If North Carolina wins in East Hartford, expect kickoff against Louisville to be 7 p.m. on ESPN2. We'll know the official time and channel as early as next Sunday.
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah (10) looks to pass as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Leroy Jackson (91) pressures in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Kenton Dopson III (21) reacts in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) with the ball as Miami (FL) Hurricanes linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) passes the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) with the ball in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) scores a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) scores a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans cheer in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels mascots fight in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass as Miami (FL) Hurricanes defensive lineman Armondo Blount (18) pressures in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Demon June (0) reacts in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Trech Kekahuna (2) scores a touchdopwn as Miami (FL) Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (3) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans react in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah (10) looks to pass as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Leroy Jackson (91) pressures in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Kenton Dopson III (21) reacts in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) with the ball as Miami (FL) Hurricanes linebacker Mohamed Toure (1) defends in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/17
Billy Edwards earns weekly honor after career performance vs. Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) passes the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) with the ball in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) scores a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) scores a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels fans cheer in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes and North Carolina Tar Heels mascots fight in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass as Miami (FL) Hurricanes defensive lineman Armondo Blount (18) pressures in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick reacts in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Demon June (0) reacts in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17/17
Photos from UNC Football's loss to Miami
Oct 31, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Trech Kekahuna (2) scores a touchdopwn as Miami (FL) Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald (3) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
(Bob Donnan, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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