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The 3rd-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0) look to win their 15th straight game this weekend when they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels (2-1). It's the beginning of the ACC part of the Irish schedule and it's an opportunity for Notre Dame to build its 2026 resume. The Irish hold a 21-2 all-time record against the Tar Heels and will look for a second win in Chapel Hill in head coach Marcus Freeman's tenure.

Location: Kenan Stadium (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Date: Saturday – October 3rd
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: Notre Dame -22.5; O/U – 46.5

Here are the Irish Breakdown staff predictions for this game.

BRYAN DRISKELL

Prediction: Notre Dame 34, North Carolina 6

North Carolina should provide a good test for Notre Dame, especially with its stingy defense. That part of the Tar Heel squad is what could keep this game a bit close, at least early on. North Carolina has a strong defense that is led by its defensive line, which could get back star Melkart Abou Jaoude this weekend.

Notre Dame's offense has been good this season, but it hasn't lit the world on fire, and its struggles running the football have been a primary reason. This will be the best defensive line that Notre Dame has faced this season, and the Tar Heels have been quite adept at limiting big plays in the pass game as well. If Notre Dame can't handle the UNC defensive line any better than it has its first four opponents, the offense could sputter, at least out of the gate. If the Irish line shows improvement it should be able to move the ball enough to win this game, and do so comfortably.

What gives so much confidence in the Irish earning a win is its elite defense. Notre Dame ranks in the Top 5 nationally in scoring defense, total defense, yards allowed per play, rushing defense, yards allowed per rush, fewest plays of 30+ yards allowed, red zone touchdown defense and fewest touchdown passes allowed. Expect the Irish defense to dominate the Tar Heels and frustrate quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. all game long.

TREVOR TROWBRIDGE

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, North Carolina 7

This is setting up to be a great test for the Notre Dame offense. On the stat sheet, the Tar Heel defense might not grab your attention, but this is a scrappy unit when you pop in the film. Their front seven can give the Irish run game some problems which is the biggest area of concern for the Notre Dame offense. Having said that, the mismatch on the defensive side of the ball strongly favors the Irish. North Carolina's offense has weapons that can hurt you like running backs Benjamin Hall and Demon June, tight end Jelani Thurman and receiver Jordan Shipp. Unfortunately, their quarterback Billy Edwards won't be able to make enough plays to keep them in it against one of the best defenses in the country. 

VINCE DEDARIO

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, North Carolina 10

Notre Dame comes into Chapel Hill at 4-0 after the dominant 49-10 win over Purdue, and the Irish have been one of the more complete teams in the country through four games. UNC is coming off a disappointing loss to Clemson after blowing a 17-3 lead, and quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. struggled badly in that game, completing just 43.3% of his passes with three sacks and an interception.

I expect the Tar Heels to make this competitive early, particularly with a rested defense coming off a bye, but Notre Dame's offensive line and CJ Carr should eventually take over. The Irish defense should also create enough pressure to prevent UNC from sustaining drives, and I see Notre Dame pulling away in the second half.

ANDREW MCDONOUGH

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, North Carolina 6

North Carolina ranks 14th in the ACC in passing, converts just 38% of third down conversions, and ranks last in the conference in plays of 20+ yards (albeit with 1 fewer game) – a bad combination when facing a Notre Dame defense playing as well as anyone in the country. The Irish under Chris Ash already stymied a Bobby Petrino offense once against Arkansas last season and the Tar Heels have nowhere near the talent on offense that the Razorbacks had, especially at the quarterback position.

With the Tar Heels struggling to move the football, the Irish offense will have time to get on track and weather some early defensive looks that Bill Belichick has dialed up. As the Notre Dame boa constrictor-like defense squeezes the Tar Heel offense, I expect the offensive performance to build to a crescendo. The scoreboard will be close in the first quarter and maybe even into halftime, but with a coaching staff that has excelled at halftime adjustments, ND pulls away in the second half for a big win. 

BRYAN AULT

Prediction: Notre Dame 42, North Carolina 14

The first month of the season couldn’t have gone much better for Notre Dame, with the Irish outscoring their opponents by a combined 169-33. Sure, the first half against Wisconsin was a bit sloppy and Michigan State provided a stout test, but the Irish are still an extremely good team. Review tape of CJ Carr last week and he’s making NFL-level throws, fitting the ball into very tight windows. It’s hard to see how Bill Belichick’s group holding the Irish back. I think the Irish win big.

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