UNC Football Schedule Lookahead: East Tennessee State

North Carolina’s Sept. 12 game against East Tennessee State at Kenan Stadium is the Tar Heels’ only clear-cut favorite on a demanding schedule.

UNC’s lone non-Power Four opponent, ETSU is an FCS program from the Southern Conference that went 7-5 overall and 5-3 in league play last season, finishing third in the nine-team SoCon. The Buccaneers ranked 15th nationally in total offense but 90th in total defense and lost their only FBS game 72-17 at Tennessee. This year, UNC is the only Power Four team on their schedule.

The matchup comes two weeks after UNC’s Week 0 opener against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. Regardless of how that game goes, ETSU should give the Tar Heels a chance to add to or get into the win column and to give younger players extended snaps.

ETSU rotated three quarterbacks last season. Cade McNamara, a transfer from Michigan and Iowa, started eight games; his brother, Jake, also played, and former UNC quarterback Jacolby Criswell appeared in eight games and started four. With Criswell now in the Canadian Football League and Cade McNamara pursuing NFL opportunities, Jake McNamara is the presumed starter after throwing for 305 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.

The Buccaneers must replace significant production, including 1,000-yard rusher Devontae Houston and much of their receiving corps and defense. Running back Jason Albritton is expected to take on a heavier load after rushing for more than 500 yards and eight touchdowns as the No. 2 back last season, and defensive back Mike Jenkins returns after posting 59 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception.

ETSU is led by coach Will Healy, entering his second season. He previously served as associate head coach at Georgia State and UCF and was head coach at Austin Peay from 2016-18 and at Charlotte from 2019-22.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Football Schedule Lookahead: East Tennessee State