3 Biggest X-Factors For North Carolina to Take Down Louisville

The North Carolina Tar Heels will be hosting the Louisville Cardinals this week, as the team tries to extend its win streak to two games.

North Carolina is coming off a nice performance against the UConn Huskies last week, but now the sights are set on the Cardinals. The Tar Heels are currently 5-4 on the year, going  2-3 in ACC play so far.

If the Tar Heels were to win this week, it would make this team bowl-eligible, which would be huge for the program. Here are three of the biggest X-Factors for the Tar Heels to get a win over Louisville this week:

1. Billy Edwards Jr. Continues Dominance

North Carolina's offense has slowly started to play better of late, with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. starting to get into a nice rhythm. For the year, Edwards has thrown for 2,127 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Tar Heels will be relying on Edwards heavily again this week, hoping for him to give the offense more spark to grab the win. If Edwards is able to keep up his recent hot play under center, North Carolina's offense should be able to exploit parts of this Louisville defense.

2. Bill Belichick 

Coming into the game, Belichick has been somewhat on the hot seat throughout the year, with many calling for the program to fire him. But the veteran coach has gotten his guys to play better this season from his first year with the program, and he deserves credit for that.

Against Louisville, Belichick is going to have to get his guys ready again, using his experience in football to help this team get the win. Belichick is one of the more accomplished coaches in the sport, and the Tar Heels need him to give them some of that extra boost this week.

3. Defense Steps Up

Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has played well this season, throwing for 2,276 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. Kienholz has given this Cardinals offense some new life, and it will be up to the North Carolina defense to shut him down this week.

The Tar Heels have a strong pass rush, and they will need to make sure to get in the backfield to disrupt the plays. If North Carolina's defense can play up to par this week, the offense should be able to do just enough to get the win at home.