What better place to be on Saturday night than Kenan Stadium? At 7:30 p.m., UNC and Syracuse will kick off in an ACC showdown between teams heading in opposite directions.
North Carolina (4-2, 2-1) has two consecutivefourth-quarterback comebacks in its back pocket. The Tar Heels upset archival Duke on the road last week, 24-20, thanks to Jaylen McGill's late touchdown run and Kenton Dopson III's clutch interception.
The Orange (2-4, 0-2 ACC) are better than their record shows, losing three games by one score, including a 34-26 loss vs. Louisville last weekend. Quarterback Steve Angeli returns for Syracuse today, giving that offense a much-needed boost.
Get real-time updates, scoring plays, turning points and expert analysis throughout UNC-Syracuse.
Follow along here for highlights, injury news, key plays, and instant breakdown as the Tar Heels and Orange battle in a Saturday night ACC battle
UNC vs. Syracuse score
UNC vs. Syracuse live updates, analysis
UNC could be without two key starters.
05:45 PM ET, October 24 2026The Tar Heels could be down two crucial, defensive starters vs. Syracuse tonight: nickel back Kaleb Cost and safety Peyton Waters.
Cost injured himself during the Pitt game, running into the wall behind North Carolina's end zone, missing last week at Duke. Waters played last week in Durham.
Latest and last injury report for tonight's game:
— Andrew Jones (@AJTarHeel247) October 24, 2026
Peyton Waters and Kaleb Cost were listed as probable last night but are now listed as game-time decisions pic.twitter.com/29GmbkCeS8
The Old Well Walk...a game day tradition!
05:41 PM ET, October 24 2026Greetings from the Old Well Walk 👋 pic.twitter.com/zYgQR1U6ou
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) October 24, 2026
Tonight is more than just a game.
05:39 PM ET, October 24 2026UNC will be hosting its Cancer Awareness Game tonight vs. Syracuse. Former North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft, who left a lasting impact on his program, died of lung cancer during the 2024 season.
The Tar Heels have "Tylee Strong," with his number 13, painted onto their sideline.
Something you love to see: Tylee Strong painted into the UNC sidelines.
— Tar Heels Wire (@tarheelswire) October 24, 2026
Tylee Craft, who wore number 13 throughout his #UNCFootball career, passed away from lung cancer during the 2024 season.#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/UA9B7mPllo
Tonight is also the #UNCFootball Cancer Awareness game.
— Tar Heels Wire (@tarheelswire) October 24, 2026
Expect to see several of Tylee Craft's family members in attendance.#GoHeels
Chapel Bill is on his way to Kenan Stadium.
05:30 PM ET, October 24 2026Bill Belichick. pic.twitter.com/AxPo0oW6WJ
— Noah Weiskopf (@NoahWeiskopf) October 24, 2026
Can UNC's defense slow down Syracuse?
05:26 PM ET, October 24 2026Fourth quarter defensive stands helped UNC upset Pitt and Duke on the road. Syracuse enters tonight's ACC clash averaging 449.8 yards per game, while North Carolina allows under 20 points per game.
We're live from Kenan Stadium
05:19 PM ET, October 24 2026It's a cool, fall Saturday afternoon here in Kenan Stadium, the sight of tonight's ACC football matchup between UNC and Syracuse.
The Tar Heels are searching for their third-straight victory, while the Orange (2-4, 0-2 ACC) lost each of their past two games by one score.
It's a beautiful, cool fall Saturday afternoon here in Kenan Stadium.#UNCFootball will kick off vs. #SyracuseFootball at 7:30 p.m.
— Tar Heels Wire (@tarheelswire) October 24, 2026
The Tar Heels (4-2, 2-1) are winners of two straight. The Orange (2-4, 0-2) already have three, one-score losses this season.#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/9YpwWfwBCc
UNC vs. Syracuse injury updates, inactives
10:49 AM ET, October 24 2026- UNC — OUT: WR Mason Humphrey, DB Tre Miller, DB Jakob Weatherspoon, LB Ashton Blatt, DL Villami Moala, WR Keeyun Chapman, DL Vodney Cleveland, DJ Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu; PROBABLE: WR Jordan Shipp, DB Kaleb Cost, RB Benjamin Hall, DB Peyton Waters, OL Jordan Hall, K Aeron Burrell
- Syracuse — OUT: WR Darien Williams, QB Amari Odom, QB Malachi Nelson, OL Jackson Iak, OL D'Joni Scatliffe, OL Matthew Hawn; PROBABLE: LB Antoine Deslauriers, QB Steve Angeli, K Tripp Woody
How to watch UNC vs. Syracuse: TV channel, streaming info
10:40 AM ET, October 24 2026UNC vs. Syracuse airs live on the ACC Network and will be streamed on WatchESPN and Fubo.
UNC vs. Syracuse weather forecast
10:33 AM ET, October 24 2026The forecast for Saturday night in Chapel Hill calls for 57 degrees and clear skies.
UNC vs. Syracuse betting odds, prediction
10:30 AM ET, October 24 2026UNC 34, Syracuse 17: The Tar Heels are playing in their first night game, which historically brings plenty of fans to Kenan Stadium. Weather in Chapel Hill is supposed to be beautiful, with clear skies on tap. North Carolina has momentum from its past two victories, both against quality teams. Syracuse lost each of its past two games by a combined 11 points, showcasing a better team than its record says. Behind another well-rounded performance, one in which UNC leads from the first quarter on, a majority of people will leave Kenan Stadium happy on Saturday night.
All College Football Odds via BetMGM
SPREAD: UNC (-9.5)
TOTAL O/U: 48.5
MONEYLINE: UNC (-350)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC-Syracuse live updates: Score, highlights, predictions, analysis
