Sept. 12, 2026, 7:04 a.m.
ET
The North Carolina Tar Heels return to the field on Saturday afternoon, hosting East Tennessee State in the home opener. After beating TCU in Week 0, North Carolina is looking to go 2-0 early on in the season. It’s also an important game in terms of North Carolina’s bowl chances.
The schedule gets a lot tougher after this week, so they need to start stacking wins. Getting two in the first two games puts them on the right track. As we sit here getting ready for the second game of the season, we have our staff predictions for the Week 2 matchup between the Tar Heels and Buccaneers. Zack Pearson Prediction: UNC 45, ETSU 10Record: 0-1
I picked against the Tar Heels in Week 0 against TCU but this is a much easier pick. The Tar Heels are the better team, hence why they are almost a 35-point favorite. They don’t need to get fancy or anything and just play their game. Let’s hope they make it a happy home opener for the fans and get up early and never look back.
X-Factor: Defense. We saw what North Carolina’s defensive line can do as they were fantastic against TCU. I think they dominate once again. Aidan Jensen Prediction: UNC 55, ETSU 16Record: 0-1
UNC returns home to Kenan Stadium after a thrilling, Week Zero upset of TCU in Ireland. Even for an early-season non-conference game against an FCS opponent, Tar Heel Nation will still be buzzing. North Carolina has an elite defense, while the offense looks much better after just one game. UNC will build a big lead in the first-half, even after a slow first-quarter start.
Billy Edwards will have a big day, Bill Belichick will be able to rotate his players and the Tar Heels will win by multiple scores heading into their ACC opener vs. Clemson. X-factor: Wide receiver Jordan Shipp.
