2016 Schedule
Sept. 3 Georgia, Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game (Atlanta)
Sept. 10 at Illinois
Sept. 17 James Madison
Sept. 24 Pittsburgh
Oct. 1 at Florida State
Oct. 8 Virginia Tech
Oct. 15 at Miami
Oct. 22 at Virginia
Oct. 29 Open
Nov. 5 Georgia Tech
Nov. 10 at Duke, ESPN (Thurs.)
Nov. 19 The Citadel
Nov. 25 N.C. State (Fri.)
The North Carolina football team will open the 2016 season with a nationally-televised game against Georgia in Atlanta and finish its season on the Friday after Thanksgiving against N.C. State.
The ACC announced the 2016 football schedule on Tuesday, and while both of these games highlight the Tar Heels' slate, there are many other obstacles standing in the way of a second consecutive Coastal Division title.
The opener against the Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Sept. 3 marks the first time in more than 40 years that UNC will face Georgia. North Carolina also played in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta against LSU in 2010.
The Tar Heels once again play two opponents from the Football Championship Subdivision. UNC hosts James Madison in its home opener on Sept. 17 before playing The Citadel on Nov. 19 at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
When North Carolina was in the College Football Playoff discussion a year ago, critics held the Tar Heels' two games versus FCS opponents against them.
If UNC found itself in the same situation next season, the same argument would be difficult to make, as North Carolina boasts a difficult conference schedule.
October could be the biggest test for the Tar Heels. UNC plays three of its four games on the road, and the only home game that month is against Virginia Tech on Oct. 8.
North Carolina's most difficult game of the season will likely be at Florida State on Oct. 1. UNC's lone win in 10 games in Tallahassee, Fla., came on its most recent trip there — when the Tar Heels squeaked out a 37-35 victory over the Seminoles in 2010.
After playing Florida State, North Carolina plays crucial Coastal Division games against Virginia Tech and Miami before ending October at Virginia.
The Tar Heels' bye week falls on Oct. 29, and the team opens November with a home game versus Georgia Tech and an away game against Duke. UNC faces both of these opponents in a six-day span.
North Carolina plays the Blue Devils on a Thursday night (Nov. 10) for the second consecutive time in Durham. UNC defeated Duke 45-20 at Wallace Wade Stadium in 2014.
The Tar Heels conclude their season on Nov. 25 against N.C. State. The game will mark the first time UNC has played on the Friday after Thanksgiving since ending the 1995 season with a 30-28 win over the Wolfpack in Raleigh.
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