Duke Football: Tar Heels On Deck

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Rivalry Week has arrived. Duke (4-1, 1-1) versus North Carolina (3-2, 1-1) in the Battle for the Victory Bell on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. EDT at Wallace Wade Stadium. Television coverage will be provided by ESPN2. Duke opened as a 4.5-point favorite.

Duke is coming off a 28-25 loss to Georgia Tech in Atlanta while North Carolina beat Pitt 21-17 on the road in Pittsburgh.

During Monday’s press conference, Head Coach Manny Diaz was asked how the team is responding: “It doesn’t take much to refocus when it is this game…I thought the leadership was great last night, the energy was great last night. But you would expect it to be.”

Duke sophomore running back Nate Sheppard continues to have a great season. He currently leads the nation in rushing yards per game (148.6) and all-purpose yards per game (180.8). Sheppard is tied for fourth in total touchdowns with 11. Expect the Duke offense to run through Sheppard again Saturday afternoon. Can Duke successfully execute downfield pass plays to complement Sheppard? A few explosive pass plays would go a long way toward retaining the Victory Bell.

Injury Report: Duke lost kicker Cosme Salas and linebacker Elliott Schaper for the season this past week. Both injuries occurred in practice. Three significant names appear on the Blue Devils initial report as Questionable: Sheppard, Matt Craycraft, Evan Smith.

For North Carolina, defensive back Greg Smith is listed as Questionable as are defensive linemen Isaiah Johnson and Donovan Hoilette, Jr. Defensive back Tre Miller is Out.

Offense: The Tar Heels offense has benefited immensely in 2026 with the addition of Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator and play caller. Petrino is an experienced offensive mind and a schematically solid coach who knows how to utilize playmakers. North Carolina has no shortage of playmakers, starting with wide receiver Jordan Shipp. Shipp, at 6’2” 200, is a big wide receiver who leads the Tar Heels with 26 receptions for 366 yards. C.J. Sadler is the second wide receiver. He has seven receptions for 107 yards.

North Carolina’s most talented position might be its tight ends. Six of eight passing touchdowns have been caught by the tight ends. Jelani Thurman has 22 receptions for 262 yards and four touchdowns, while Shamar Easter has six receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Thurman is 6’6” 245 and can run. Easter is 6’5” 230.

At running back, Benjamin Hall leads the way with 55 carries for 276 yards, while Demon June has 37 carries for 143 yards and five touchdowns. Hall also has five receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns so he is dangerous as a receiver out of the backfield.

That brings us to the quarterback. Billy Edwards, Jr. has completed 79 of 132 pass attempts for 1,069 yards and eight touchdowns against five interceptions. Edwards isn’t a star, but he is a solid quarterback who can deliver the ball to the North Carolina playmakers if given time. Duke must pressure Edwards to move him out of his comfort zone, making him hurry throws.

Duke Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Patke described the Carolina offense: “Their tailback is a really talented, big strong guy who can run through contact. He has been impressive all year. They have a tight end that can really go, he can block, he can run routes, he is one of their leading targets. Their (wide) receiver is one of the best in the ACC. They do a nice job featuring him in the offense.”

Defending the Carolina passing attack will be a tough assignment for the Duke secondary.

Players to Watch: Jordan Shipp, Jelani Thurman, Benjamin Hall

Defense: Head Coach Bill Belichick is a defense-first coach and North Carolina’s defense has improved steadily since his arrival in Chapel Hill. Manny Diaz commented, “Since sometime last October, they (North Carolina) have been playing really, really good defense. If you play good defense you have a chance to win week in, week out.”

Defensive lineman Xavier Lewis is a dominant pass rusher who leads North Carolina with 6.5 sacks for 42 yards. Linebacker Derek McDonald leads the team in tackles with 49, while defensive back Greg Smith III leads the team with three interceptions and a forced fumble.

Duke Offensive Coordinator Jonathan Brewer described the Carolina defense this way: “Their defensive line is very impressive. They were very impressive last year in person. They create a lot of havoc in the backfield. They don’t have to pressure a lot because their d-line is really good.”

Statistically, North Carolina is 11th in the ACC in rushing defense yielding 152 yards per game and 7th in the ACC in passing defense yielding 204.2 yards per game. The Duke offense will be able to move the ball against the Carolina defense so the key will be finishing drives.

The Blue Devils must finish drives in the red zone with touchdowns. It will take TDs to beat Carolina and retain the Victory Bell. Field goals are not going to cut it.

Players to Watch: Xavier Lewis, Derek McDonald, Greg Smith III

Prediction: In a close, hard fought game, the Blue Devils prevail with strong fourth-quarter play. Duke 25, North Carolina 19.

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