After a few weeks hiatus, I’m back!

I’ll be changing the format of these posts in order to expedite releases (meaning they should be more frequent).

I’ll still be referring to Bill Connelly’s 2018 Returning Starters production rankings

Without further adieu:

Trust the Process:

I’ll be using a standard format across all Chop’s Takes:

1. I’ll take a look at the above returning production (keeping in mind the evaluation of talent applicable to each ACC Program) and compare to each team they face on their schedule.
2. I’ll look at the opponent faced the week before, that game’s final score, and days passed before the current game being evaluated.
3. I’ll take a look at the opponent the ACC team faces after the present game, considering look-ahead games and rivalries, and days separating that game from the present.
4. I’ll weigh advantages of home versus away games for each game.
5. Where possible, I’ll take into consideration potential weather considerations (not Hurricanes or other natural disasters but rather seasonal conditions).

University of North Carolina’s 2018 Football Schedule:

University of California (September 1st, 2018 away)

Previous Game: None

Following Game: BYU (September 8th, 2018 at BYU)

Prediction: UNC LOSS

Not the ideal way to start the season off. UNC is returning tons of talent, however the talent Cal returns on both sides of the ball are simply greater. That, coupled with the home advantage for Cal and the recipe for an opening loss is there for the Tar Heels.

East Carolina University (September 8th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: NC A&T (September 1st, 2018 at home)

Following Game: Virginia Tech (September 15th, 2018 at VT)

Rivalry Game

Prediction: UNC WIN

Now we’re back on track! Simply put: the away game atmosphere shouldn’t be too difficult for UNC to overcome, given ECU is in North Carolina and not California. East Carolina is feasting on a cupcake to start off, while UNC will have faced competition at this point and find themselves battle-tested. While both programs also have to prep for tough follow-up games, this regional rivalry will be the focus for both. UNC returns too much talent, and superior talent, for ECU to overcome. I anticipate a win for the Tar Heels.

University of Central Florida (September 15th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: South Carolina State (September 8th, 2018 at home)

Following Game: Florida Atlantic University (September 21st, 2018 at home)

Prediction: UNC WIN

This one hurts me a tad. I grew up in Orlando and always cheered for the hometown team. I attended the UCF home game last season versus Memphis, and have close family and friends that attended University there. However, I also realize that UCF’s Cinderella season was perhaps largely the construct of a buy-in to the Scott Frost regime. While returning tons of talent, the caliber of talent at UNC that is returning is on-par. Additionally, the home crowd factor should creep in to UNC’s advantage. On a neutral or away field, I’d perhaps predict the UCF upset, however, I don’t see it for the Knights. The Tar Heels have this one in the bag, I believe.

University of Pittsburgh (September 22nd, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Georgia Tech (September 15th at home)

Following Game: University of Central Florida (September 29th, 2018 away)

Prediction: UNC LOSS

Why a loss to Pitt? Technically, these teams are fielding units of comparable talent, except UNC returns more veteran starters. My reservations lie in the follow-up games. UNC is looking forward to a game at Miami, on a Thursday night no less. Pitt finds themselves at UCF. I don’t anticipate Pitt focusing as heavily in preparations for a UCF team as they would an in-conference opponent. Pitt is also lethal enough to catch unsuspecting opponents off-guard. This screams trap game, and UNC will fall in a look-ahead scenario.

University of Miami (September 27th, 2018 Thursday night away)

Previous Game: Florida International University (September 22nd, 2018 at home)

Following Game: Florida State University (October 6th, 2018 at home rivalry game)

Prediction: UNC WIN

The payoff: UNC will take the game at Miami. How? UNC has the talent, and will likely be honed-in on this match-up against the Hurricanes. Miami, meanwhile, will be in their own look-ahead game against the Seminoles. Miami’s stadium also isn’t on-campus, presenting challenges to create an intense home atmosphere on a Thursday in the Miami metro. Miami will be caught looking-ahead, providing a much needed win for the Heels.

Virginia Tech (October 13th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Notre Dame (October 6th, 2018 at home)

Following Game: Georgia Tech (October 25th Thursday night rivalry game at home)

Prediction: UNC LOSS

By logic and reasoning I would  typically implement, I would have UNC winning this game. The timing seems right (VT coming off a tough home game vs Notre Dame), they’re coming off of a bye, while VT has yet to enter one. UNC is on a roll after beating Miami. However, the Coastal is tricky to predict, and for reasons yet to be divulged, I’ve got an inkling VT will fight tough this game. The result: a UNC loss.

Syracuse (October 20th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: University of Pittsburgh (October 6th, 2018 away)

Following Game: North Carolina State (October 27th, 2018 at home)

Prediction: UNC WIN

UNC will get back on track against the Syracuse Orange. While the Carrier Dome is a tough place to play, the Orangemen simply don’t have the returning guns to take down a veteran UNC team (who’ll also boast the superior on-field talent). UNC will need this win to maintain their dark horse run in the Coastal. They’ll get it in this match-up.

University of Virginia (October 27th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: Duke University (October 20th, 2018 away)

Following Game: University of Pittsburgh (November 2nd, 2018 Friday at home)

Prediction: UNC WIN

Virginia is a long-project, and isn’t returning near the talent level nor the veteran experience to compete against UNC. Despite being another away game, I don’t anticipate the Tar Heels facing much resistance against this Virginia team.

Georgia Tech (November 3rd, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Virginia Tech (October 25th, 2018 Thursday night rivalry away)

Following Game: University of Miami (November 10th, 2018 at home)

Prediction: UNC WIN

Georgia Tech will be coming-off a tough away game loss to the Hokies. They also don’t return near the veteran level of talent to compete at UNC. UNC will be fighting for their place as a dark horse contender for the Coastal still. I anticipate, therefore, a UNC win at home over the Yellow Jackets.

Duke University (November 10th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: University of Miami (November 3rd, 2018 away)

Following Game: Clemson University (November 17th, 2018 away)

Rivalry Game

Prediction: UNC LOSS

These two teams have very similar make-up in 2018. Veteran lead squads, similar talent-level, and dark horse expectations. I would highlight this game as must-see ACC action for Coastal contenders. However, while I view this as a virtual coin-toss, the advantage goes to Duke being the home team, also coming off-of two straight ACC losses. To keep dark horse expectations alive, Duke would need this win over North Carolina. UNC, meanwhile, would be fighting for the dark horse position as well, albeit with the security of knowing they had already beaten Miami (Duke doesn’t have that same luxury in my previous prediction).

Western Carolina (November 17th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Wofford (November 10th, 2018 at home)

Following Game: N/A

Prediction: UNC WIN

I’ll keep this brief: ACC teams SHOULD win their FCS match-ups. North Carolina is at home against a vastly inferior opponent. North Carolina should win this. Next.

North Carolina State (November 24th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: University of Louisville (November 17th, 2018 away)

Following Game: N/A

Rivalry Game

Prediction: UNC WIN

While a rivalry game, UNC will be much-recovered and fighting for the Coastal at this stage. They’re also playing at home. I just don’t expect much from the NC State defense this season despite a stellar offense. While a shoot-out might be possible, with NC State fighting at this point, I don’t think they have the means to stop a veteran UNC offense. Also they’ll have to recover after a fight against Louisville.

My Predicted 2018 Regular Season Record for North Carolina: 8-4 (5-3 ACC)

Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page