Despite recent staff shakeups and suspensions, the surging Tar Heels can secure a marquee spotlight if they topple Clemson to set up a high-stakes showdown against Notre Dame.
The North Carolina Tar Heels are in a good position record-wise coming into Week 3, and they have a chance to host ESPN's "College GameDay" soon.
UNC needed to start fast after going 4-8 last season. The Tar Heels delivered in Week 0, beating TCU 15-10 in Dublin. UNC then took care of business against ETSU in Week 2 with a 35-3 blowout.
However, UNC has faced negative press in recent weeks. Michael Lombardi resigned as general manager earlier this month after being placed on paid administrative leave.
On Thursday, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick resigned after being on medical leave since early August. North Carolina suspended freshman wide receiver Keeyun Chapman.
Still, North Carolina has everything in front of them in the college football world. The Tar Heels will travel to play Clemson on Saturday.
During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday, Kirk Herbstreit suggested UNC would have a great chance of hosting "College GameDay" on Oct. 3 when No. 3 Notre Dame comes to town if the Tar Heels beat Clemson.
"If North Carolina beats Clemson, you pretty much... I would think, I'm not involved in that, I would think that Notre Dame, that North Carolina, is probably a leader in the clubhouse," Herbstreit said.
"But if North Carolina loses to Clemson, I would venture to guess that the next one on the board could be Ohio State at Iowa."
North Carolina has a great chance to beat Clemson this season. Bill Belichick has a much improved Tar Heels team this season, and the Tigers are not at their best early this fall.
Clemson looked outmatched in a 51-10 loss to LSU in Week 1. The Tigers responded by playing uninspired in a 22-7 win over GA Southern in Week 2.
Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina is not expected to play for UNC while he battles an elbow injury. Freshman Tait Reynolds should get the start, and we all know how Belichick does against younger quarterbacks.
A "College GameDay" host would be good publicity for North Carolina and Bill Belichick, who desperately needs some good headlines after a rough few weeks for the program.
