UNC football vs. Virginia game preview, info, prediction and more

Story by

Zack Pearson, Tar Heels Wire

Thu, Oct 23, 2025 ·

3 min read

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.

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

Oct 4, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Jaiden Patterson (18) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Tristan Smith (3) in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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.

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

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

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

PREDICTION? Virginia 33, UNC 16

2025 UNC Football Schedule

Oct 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a North Carolina Tar Heels helmet on the field before a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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