North Carolina football coach Mack Brown is entering his fifth season in his second stint with the Tar Heels.
During a summer press conference in mid-June, Brown didn’t mince words when discussing UNC’s 2023 schedule, describing the opening stretch as “probably the toughest opening four games that I’ve ever been a part of.”
The Fayetteville Observer ranked the Tar Heels’ 2023 schedule, examining the quality of the opponent, among other challenges.
2023 UNC football schedule, in order of easiest to toughest games
Week 10 vs. Campbell
Campbell’s 2022 record: 5-6 (2-3 Big South)
Series record: 0-0
Kickoff: TBD, Nov. 4
Notes: In its first game against an ACC opponent, Campbell will make the hour-long trip to Kenan Stadium for UNC's lone FCS game. Entering its first season as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association, Campbell boasts the top recruiting class at the FCS level.
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Week 8 vs. Virginia
Virginia’s 2022 record: 3-7 (1-6 ACC)
Series record: 66-57-4
Kickoff: TBD, Oct. 21
Notes: The Cavaliers have won four of the last six, but UNC has back-to-back victories. The Tar Heels dropped 59 points on Virginia in 2021 at Kenan Stadium. The Cavaliers have multiple starters returning on defense, but their offense — which averaged 17 points per game — likely won’t be able to keep up with Drake Maye and the Tar Heels.
Week 6 vs. Syracuse
Syracuse’s 2022 record: 7-6 (4-4 ACC)
Series record: 3-3
Kickoff: TBD, Oct. 7
Notes: Syracuse has won two of the last three in the series, including a 40-37 double overtime win in 2018, but UNC earned a 31-6 victory in 2020 — the last time the teams played at Kenan Stadium. The Orange is coming off its first winning season since 2018, but lost some key contributors on both sides of the ball.
Week 9 at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech’s 2022 record: 5-7, 4-4
Series record: 22-32-3
Kickoff: TBD, Oct. 28
Notes: The Tar Heels have lost four of their last five against the Yellow Jackets, including a 21-17 loss in 2022 that started a four-game losing streak to close the season. UNC hasn’t beaten Georgia Tech in Chapel Hill since 2016, but the Yellow Jackets have a lot of unknowns with additions from the portal.
Week 2 vs. App State
App State’s 2022 record: 6-6 (3-5 Sun Belt)
Series record: 2-1
Kickoff: 5:15 p.m., Sept. 9, ACC Network
Notes: The Tar Heels and Mountaineers played one of the widest games of the 2022 season, with UNC escaping Boone as 63-61 victors. This game is the hottest ticket at Kenan Stadium — according to StubHub — with prices starting at more than $100. Following its worst season since 2014, App State will be fired up for a chance to win a second straight game in Chapel Hill.
Week 4 at Pitt
Pitt’s 2022 record: 9-4 (5-3 ACC)
Series record: 11-5
Kickoff: TBD, Sept. 23
Notes: The Tar Heels won six in a row against the Panthers before Pitt earned overtime victories in two of the last three games in the series. UNC heads to Pittsburgh looking for its first road win against the Panthers since 2017. Pitt’s offense will be led by Boston College transfer Phil Jurkovec.
Week 11 vs. Duke
Duke’s 2022 record: 9-4 (5-3 ACC)
Series record: 64-40-4
Kickoff: TBD, Nov. 11
Notes: Mike Elko's arrival reinvigorated the Blue Devils and the annual Battle for the Victory Bell. UNC has won four straight in the series, including a 38-35 win last season at Wallace Wade Stadium. But Duke was one of the most improved teams in the country. The Blue Devils return a slew of starters, led by quarterback Riley Leonard.
Week 3 vs. Minnesota
Minnesota’s 2022 record: 9-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
Series record: 0-0
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m., Sept. 16, ESPN/ESPN2
Notes: These two squads have never met on the gridiron, but the inaugural meeting could provide plenty of fireworks. PJ Fleck’s squad returns quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and a solid group of playmakers around him. The Golden Gophers have posted a winning record in four of the last five seasons, with four bowl victories.
Week 7 vs. Miami
Miami’s 2022 record: 5-7 (3-5 ACC)
Series record: 15-11
Kickoff: TBD, Oct. 14
Notes: UNC has won four straight in the series, but three of those games were decided by a field goal. In its second year under head coach Mario Cristobal, Miami should be much improved after adding some talent around quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Week 1 vs. South Carolina in Charlotte
South Carolina’s 2022 record: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)
Series record: 35-20-4
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 2, ABC
Notes: The Gameco*cks finished 2022 on a high note with a pair of top-10 wins against Tennessee and Clemson before losing a tight bowl game to Notre Dame. UNC has lost four of the last five games in the series, including two in Charlotte. Maye and South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler should put on a show in this matchup.
Week 13 at NC State
NC State’s 2022 record: 8-5, (4-4 ACC)
Series record: 68-38-6
Kickoff: TBD, Nov. 25
Notes: The Wolfpack left Kenan Stadium with a 30-27 double overtime win last season. UNC has lost two of its last three at Carter-Finley Stadium. Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong is expected to lead NC State’s new-look offense and the defense should remain among the ACC’s best.
Week 12 at Clemson
Clemson’s 2022 record: 11-3 (8-0 ACC)
Series record: 19-39-1
Kickoff: TBD, Nov. 18
Notes: A trip to Death Valley in the penultimate week of the regular season presents a tall task for the Tar Heels, who lost 39-10 to the Tigers in the 2022 ACC Championship game. Clemson has won five straight in the series and the Tigers return a ton of talented defenders to aid an offense under new leadership.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
