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UNC football vs. Virginia game preview, info, prediction and more
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- UNC football vs. Virginia game preview, info, prediction and more
The North Carolina Tar Heels return to the field on Saturday looking to end a three-game losing streak and get back into the win column. But it will be a tough test as they welcome in No. 16 Virginia to Kenan Memorial Stadium.
The South's Oldest Rivalry adds a new chapter as the two teams have met for over 100 years now.
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The Cavaliers enter this game at 6-1 overall and 3-0 in ACC play. They have been one of the biggest surprise teams so far this season behind the arm of quarterback Chandler Morris and a strong run game. The Cavaliers have wins over Louisville, Florida State, and Stanford but lost to NC State in the ACC. They have been a good team so far and find themselves in the rankings here as October begins to wrap up.
For North Carolina, they are just looking to get an ACC win and try to salvage any hopes of making a bowl game and bringing some positivity to the program.
Key to Victory
Force takeaways. While Morris has been pretty good this season, he has thrown four interceptions. The Tar Heels need to find a way to get takeaways and win the turnover battle. Getting extra possessions and limiting the scoring for the Cavaliers will be huge.
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Now the question is. Can they actually do it?
Something to Watch
Oct 4, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) scrambles to get open against Louisville Cardinals defensive back D'Angelo Hutchinson (21) during the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Virginia defeated Louisville 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
Can the Tar Heels slow down Virginia's offense? The Cavaliers are ninth in the nation, averaging 40 points per game while UNC's defense is allowing 25 points per game this season, which is middle of the pack. The Tar Heels defense has struggled against Power Four opponents so far this season, including against Clemson just a few weeks ago.
If North Carolina wants to win this game, they have to slow down the Cavaliers offense.
Stat leaders
Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) throws against the California Golden Bears in the third quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Passing
UNC: Gio Lopez 61 of 102, 597 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Virginia: Chandler Morris 145 of 211, 1,607 yards, 11 TD, 4 INT
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Rushing
UNC: Demon June 42 carries, 276 yards, 1 TD
Virginia: J'Mari Taylor 108 carries, 512 yards, 8 TD
Receiving
UNC: Jordan Shipp 22 receptions, 253 yards, 2 TD
Virginia: Trell Harris 28 receptions, 405 yards, 3 TD
What you need to know
TarHeelsWire How to Watch
WHAT? Virginia Cavaliers (6-1, 3-0 in ACC) AT North Carolina Tar Heels (2-4, 0-2 in ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, October 25 at NOON
WHERE? Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ACC Network
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channels 82 and 371)
WEATHER? 58 degrees, partly cloudy
LINE? UVA -10.5
ALL-TIME: UNC leads 66–59–4.
LAST MEETING? UNC 41, Virginia 14 on Saturday, October 26th in Charlottesville
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PREDICTION? Virginia 33, UNC 16
2025 UNC Football Schedule
Sept. 1: vs. TCU (L, 48-14)
Sept. 6: at Charlotte (W, 20-3)
Sept 13: vs. Richmond (W, 41-6)
Sept. 20: at UCF (L, 34-9)
Oct. 4: vs. Clemson (L, 38-10)
Oct. 17: at Cal (L, 21-18)
Oct 25: vs. Virginia
Oct 31: at Syracuse
Nov. 8: vs Stanford
Nov. 15: at Wake Forest
Nov. 22: vs. Duke
Nov. 29: at NC State
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football vs. Virginia: Preview, info, prediction and more
