Bill Belichick has six Super Bowl rings and two weeks to prepare. Notre Dame has a defense that doesn’t care.
The Irish roll into Chapel Hill at 4-0, looking to make North Carolina their 15th consecutive victim by double digits. Belichick has the résumé. Marcus Freeman has the rolling thunder. Here’s how the Fighting Irish Preview staff sees this one.
Phil Houk — Senior Editor
Bill Belichick has had two weeks to prepare, and nobody questions his ability to game plan. One problem: North Carolina is not the New England Patriots, and Billy Edwards Jr. isn’t Tom Brady.
North Carolina’s defense keeps it interesting early, but the Tar Heels haven’t seen anything like this Irish defense. Notre Dame shuts down the run, makes Edwards beat it through the air and eventually pulls away.
Key offensive play: Jonaz Walton breaks a 70-yard TD run and waves goodbye to the Tar Heels on his way to the end zone.
Key defensive play: Bryce Young strip-sacks Edwards, and Drayk Bowen scoops it up and scores — again.
Make that 15 straight wins by double digits.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, North Carolina 13.
Caleb Conrad — Senior Intern
Notre Dame’s defense will control this game. The Irish can make North Carolina earn every yard while CJ Carr and the offense build on their progress. The next step is turning promising possessions into touchdowns consistently. Expect the pass rush to create a short field, the running game to help finish drives and Notre Dame to win this game convincingly.
This could be the game where Mylan Graham finally proves he can be an option in the passing game. The running game will continue to improve this week, with Notre Dame rushing for more than 150 yards. The Irish defense will also come away with at least one takeaway.
Prediction: Notre Dame 42, North Carolina 10.
Chad Ryan — Photojournalist / Multimedia Editor
The picture I expect in Chapel Hill: an Irish defender in the backfield and a Tar Heel quarterback looking for somewhere to go. North Carolina can keep this competitive early, but Notre Dame’s pressure should tilt the game. A couple of explosive plays on offense provide separation, and the defense closes the door.
Prediction: Notre Dame 35, North Carolina 14.
Jesse Craig — Webmaster
Rain and possible thunderstorms are in the forecast for Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill. North Carolina has the best interior defensive lineman the Irish will have faced at this point in the season, so if it rains, it will be a great test to see progress in the ND run game.
Other than that, Bill Belichick has had 2 weeks to prepare so he may have some tricks up his sleeve to confuse Carr. Unfortunately for the Tarheels, their offense has nothing for the ND defense.
Prediction: Notre Dame 30, North Carolina 6.
Connor Fitzharris — Staff Writer
The Irish go back on the road at Chapel Hill this week to face Billy Belichick’s squad, who, have had a very interesting season thus far. The Tar Heels should be 3-0, but blew a late lead against Clemson. Don’t let their 2-1 record fool you. Their offense needs a lot of work, and transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. will be under duress all game. I had originally picked this game to be close at the start of the year, but my tune has changed.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, North Carolina 13.
Adam Schenkel — Producer / Audio Editor
Notre Dame heads to North Carolina this week, and while the Irish offense still hasn’t put together a complete game, I’m not sure it matters with the way this defense is playing. Notre Dame simply isn’t giving opponents many opportunities to score, which takes a lot of pressure off an offense that’s still trying to find its rhythm. Maybe this is finally the week everything clicks offensively, maybe it isn’t. Either way, the defense keeps North Carolina in check, the Irish pull away as the game goes on, and it’s another comfortable win.
Prediction: Notre Dame 36, North Carolina 10.
AJ Houk — Photojournalist / Director of Brand Strategy
The Irish defense sets the tone, and the offense supplies the highlights. Notre Dame can force North Carolina into uncomfortable passing situations, then turn those stops into chances for Carr and his receivers. I expect a balanced attack, a few big plays and a second half that leaves little doubt. Another road trip, another double-digit Irish win.
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, North Carolina 10.
Final Byte
Seven picks, seven Irish victories — all by double digits. The staff average is Notre Dame 36.7, North Carolina 10.9, a 25.9-point margin. Rounded to whole points, the collective call is Notre Dame 37, North Carolina 11.
The staff is more bullish than the betting market. FanDuel lists Notre Dame as a 21.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5, implying roughly a 35–13 Irish win. The staff projects nearly the same total scoring, but an Irish margin about four points wider than the spread.
The Final Byte’s analytical call starts with that market baseline and leans toward Notre Dame’s defense. North Carolina’s defensive front and Belichick’s preparation could make the Irish work for their points, especially early. But forcing Edwards into obvious passing situations gives Notre Dame’s pass rush a chance to control possessions and create favorable field position. That points toward a comfortable Irish win with slightly less scoring than the staff expects.
The call: Notre Dame covers the 21.5-point spread, and the combined score finishes below 47.5.
☘ Final Byte Prediction: Notre Dame 35, North Carolina 10.