UNC football staff predictions for Week 3 at Clemson

The North Carolina Tar Heels open up their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule by heading to Clemson to face off against the Tigers. UNC enters this matchup at 2-0 and fresh off a home win over ETSU last weekend.

For Clemson, they are 1-1 after a loss to LSU and then rebounded by winning their home opener last weekend as well. This will be a good test for the Tar Heels despite it potentially being a down year for Clemson. North Carolina got a big win over TCU in Week 0, passing their first test of the season.

But now, with the schedule getting tougher and a bye week looming, this one will be huge in terms of UNC getting bowl-eligible.

Ahead of Saturday's game, we have our staff predictions for this week and what we think will happen.

Zack Pearson

Prediction: Clemson 27, UNC 20

Record: 1-1

Playing at Clemson is never easy for an opponent. That's the challenge UNC has this weekend as they head down to South Carolina to face off against the Tigers. UNC has been in the news with off-field issues recently so going out and getting a big win this week could prove a lot.

Going up against a freshman quarterback, Bill Belichick and this UNC defense could be a difference-maker. Let's hope they can get it done.

Aidan Jensen

Prediction: UNC 24, Clemson 16

Record: 1-1

UNC enters a hostile environment this weekend at Clemson, a place it hasn't won since before the iPhone became a thing. North Carolina is currently dealing with off-the-field headlines, first with a pair of freshman receivers and most recently with Steve Belichick's resignation. Regardless, the Tar Heels are 2-0, a shocking start to many, including their own fanbase. UNC's defense is one of the country's best through two games, with an emphasis on getting after the quarterback. North Carolina doesn't allow opposing quarterbacks to get comfortable, with a true freshman in Tait Reynolds its next test on Saturday.

The Tar Heels are well-balanced and much-improved on offense, with Bobby Petrino a much-welcomed offseason addition on the ever-changing coaching staff. Despite a Week 1 blowout loss and struggles on both sides of the ball, Clemson will be playing in front of what should be a loud, restless crowd this weekend. UNC delivers another shocking upset, one that'll vault it into the rankings early next week.

Grant Chachere

Prediction: UNC 17, Clemson 14

Record: 0-1

This is a very winnable game for UNC and for a lot of different reasons.

Clemson is a vulnerable squad. They absolutely got embarrassed on primetime television by LSU. Yes, LSU is very good, but Clemson looked extremely lethargic, especially on the line of scrimmage. That also carried over in a struggle-fest win over Georgia Southern.

UNC’s defensive line should be able to make mince meat of a bad O-Line and an inexperienced QB.

As long as the offense executes, UNC gets its first win in Death Valley in nearly 25 years.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football staff predictions for Week 3 at Clemson