Will UNC beat No. 3 Notre Dame Saturday at a sold-out Kenan Stadium? History tells us that’s not likely to happen. Across 23 all-time meetings, the Fighting Irish have won 21 times, and one of Carolina’s two victories has since been vacated due to NCAA rules violations.
Led by head coach Marcus Freeman and with a massive chip on its shoulder from a perceived College Football Playoff snub last winter, Notre Dame has gone scorched earth to begin the 2026 season. The Irish have won each of their first four games by at least 17 points, not allowing more than 13 points in any of those victories.
That’s enough to strike fear into the heart of any team, especially a UNC side which has struggled on offense more often than not under head coach Bill Belichick. Carolina has gone 14 games against FBS teams without scoring 30 or more points, which is the second-longest such streak in the nation.
With his encyclopedic knowledge of the game, Belichick likely appreciates the opportunity to face a historic program like Notre Dame more than most. But he maintained earlier this week that with extra time to prepare coming off an open date, the focus is on the home locker room, not across the hall.
“It’s the same every week. Our performance is always about us,” Belichick said. “We have to be aware of who we’re playing and what their tendencies are and what they’re good at and how we’re gonna play that particular opponent, but ultimately it comes down to our performance. We control that.”
What the Tar Heels can’t control is an Irish defense which has put up all-world numbers through four games. As of this week, Notre Dame ranks in the top 10 in both rushing and passing defense and No. 1 in total defense. They are the only defense allowing fewer than 200 yards of total offense per game.
That dominance provides many challenges for the UNC staff, and offensive line coach Will Friend noted situational tape study for the Irish has proved less than fruitful.
“When you put on the tape and go, ‘OK, let’s look at the explosive plays,’ there’s very few,” Friend said. “And then you go, ‘Alright, let’s watch their red zone [defense].’ There’s very few plays where people are even in the red zone. That usually says the defense is pretty good.”
Kenan Stadium will be sold out for the first time this season to see the Tar Heels give that defense their best shot, though a good portion of that crowd will likely be in Notre Dame’s famous colors. Many UNC recruits will be in attendance, as will the national runner-up Diamond Heels for a halftime celebration. The program will also be unveiling special emblems inside Kenan honoring the program’s College Football and Pro Football Hall of Famers.
Honoring our legends inside Kenan #Kenan100 pic.twitter.com/0r0vpEWynK
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) September 30, 2026
That’s a lot of pomp and circumstance for one game. But the Tar Heel players say they’re not overly tight in the leadup. Offensive lineman Aidan Banfield is one of UNC’s more experienced players, having started his very first game as a true freshman two years ago. Banfield acknowledged he had butterflies then, but now has developed a unique way to get the jitters out.
“I remember it like it was yesterday, honestly,” Banfield said of that August game at Minnesota, one which the Tar Heels won 19-17. “Leading up to the game, I was watching a lot of Mike Tyson videos, Jon Jones videos, things like that to get me mentally ready. But there’s nothing like when you step out on that field. I remember coming to tears of joy because of how happy I was to be on that field and get the opportunity to play this game that I love. And once you get that first hit, there’s nothing like it. You’re there and it’s happening. I love it.”
The deck is undoubtedly stacked against UNC. The Tar Heels will have to play their best game under Belichick – coupled with an unusually poor showing from the Irish – to have any shot of a major upset. But to borrow a boxing term, Carolina just has to give itself a puncher’s chance.
Forget Banfield’s Mike Tyson videos. Tomorrow, UNC will look to play the role of Buster Douglas.
Featured image via Associated Press/Jacob Kupferman
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