After a thrilling, 15-10 defensive-minded upset to open their 2026 college football season, the North Carolina Tar Heels will get Labor Day weekend off.
UNC (1-0) entered its Week Zero matchup vs. TCU as a touchdown-plus underdog, rightfully so considering the trajectory of each team's 2025 season. The Tar Heels traded punches with every first quarter blow from the Horned Frogs, then shut down their typically high-powered offense.
North Carolina gained contributions from virtually everyone on defense, highlighted by sophomore defensive lineman Xavier Lewis and Syracuse transfer Derek McDonald, who won ACC Player of the Week honors. Despite scoring just 13 points on offense, UNC looked much better under new OC Bobby Petrino, with ball movement
and big plays the focus.
The Tar Heels will undoubtedly practice throughout this coming weekend, then prepare for their September 12 home opener vs. ETSU. If you plan on watching Week 1 games, though, here's five you should pay attention to as a North Carolina fan:
#7 Miami (FL) at Stanford – Friday, Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. ET
If you're spending your Friday night watching college football, this early-season matchup between Miami (FL) and Stanford is a must-watch.
The Hurricanes are one season removed from the National Championship game, which they lost 27-21 to Indiana. Miami returns a dangerous offense led by Mark Fletcher and Malachi Toney, plus a plethora of defensive guys.
The Cardinal are still likely riding high from their Week Zero comeback win over Hawaii, but the Hurricanes present a significantly-tougher test.
UNC hosts Miami on Halloween, so Friday night will give fans a good preview of what to expect in that October matchup from Kenan Stadium.
Clemson at #11 LSU – Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
LSU came to Clemson in 2025, winning a low-scoring, 17-10 clash. On Saturday, LSU will host Clemson in its own "Death Valley."
The LSU Tigers are hoping for a fresh start in the Lane Kiffin era, which is already filled with off-field headlines. The Clemson Tigers are looking for a marquee win, proving they can still compete atop college football.
The Tar Heels will open ACC play on September 19 at Clemson. Keep a close eye on this Saturday night marquee matchup.
#24 Louisville vs. #9 Ole Miss – Sunday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 in Nashville, Tenn.
Louisville is always a tough team. The Cardinals finished with their fourth-consecutive winning record in 2025, beating Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Ole Miss continued proving itself as an SEC power on the rise last year, advancing to the CFP semifinals and losing to Miami. The Rebels enter their Pete Golding era on Sunday night, as Kiffin previously departed to coach LSU.
North Carolina hosts Louisville on November 14, part of a loaded schedule that will challenge head coach Bill Belichick in Year Two.
Tulane at Duke – Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m.
Tulane is one of the better, under-the-radar Group of Six programs. Duke has a strong, recent track record in the ACC under Manny Diaz, winning the 2025 conference championship.
The Blue Devils lost plenty of talent from last season, but they'll be playing in front of a Wallace Wade crowd that knows how to get loud.
North Carolina travels to Duke on October 17. You can bet UNC players and coaches will at least be watching the Blue Devils-Green Wave clash on Saturday afternoon.
New Hampshire at Syracuse – Saturday, Sept. 5 at 12 p.m.
Remember when Syracuse marched into Clemson and delivered a shocking, 13-point blowout last season behind quarterback Steve Angeli?
Back from a brutal Achilles injury suffered in that same victory, Angeli leads the Orange into their 2026 season-opener vs. New Hampshire on Saturday afternoon.
The Tar Heels snapped their 4-game losing streak at Syracuse in 2025, winning 27-10 on Halloween. North Carolina hosts the Orange on October 24, looking to make it four straight wins in the series.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Five Week One college football games UNC fans should pay attention to
