UNC Football: On to Boston

After Charlotte announced that they would be unable to play their 19 September game against UNC at Kenan Stadium due to a COVID-19 outbreak on their team, Carolina hit the phones to find an opponent for their open date on 26 September. That was supposed to be a bye leading up to Carolina’s trip up to Chestnut Hill to play Boston College. Unfortunately though, it looks like that effort has reached its conclusion.

There is some equivocation in that statement, but the practicality of confirming an opponent, then scouting and preparing for them in under a week is nil. Several teams with open dates on September 26th were considered, but for unknown reasons, none of them could be brought into the fold.

Not playing has been profitable for the Tar Heels. After week 2, despite not playing Charlotte as scheduled, Carolina moved up in the AP poll:

If any of the top ten teams lose next Saturday, why shouldn’t UNC continue its climb to the top of the college football pyramid? When the Heels do play again on October 3rd, they’ll need to shake off the rust quickly. The Eagles beat up on Duke, winning in Durham easily, 26-6. It’s difficult to draw any conclusions from that performance, as BC was predicted to finish on top of Duke in the ACC football preseason poll, but without another game to sort out the kinks shown in the Syracuse game, Sam Howell and friends will need a sharp two weeks of practice.

Fingers crossed that practice goes well, nobody gets hurt, and the program doesn’t experience any COVID-19 outbreaks.