Numbers Show North Carolina Could Have Trouble With Louisville

The North Carolina Tar Heels are preparing to take on the Louisville Cardinals this week, hosting their ACC rivals.

North Carolina is coming off a big win against the UConn Huskies last week, with the offense coming alive. The Tar Heels were able to break a losing streak in the win, giving this team some confidence heading into this week.

This Tar Heels team holds a record of 5-4 on the season, going 2-3 so far in ACC play for the year. North Carolina is just one win away from becoming bowl-eligible, which could be huge for this program going forward.

Under head coach Bill Belichick, the Tar Heels have slowly started to build toward being a contender, already improving from last season. But if this team is able to make a bowl game this year, it could help Belichick grow the team even more moving forward.

As for Louisville, they will be coming into the game with a record of 6-3 on the year, going 5-2 in ACC games played. The Cardinals are on a four-game winning streak entering this matchup, and the Tar Heels are looking to end it at home this week.

As the two teams get ready for the game, the Tar Heels are being viewed as the underdogs, even with the contest being played at home. According to the ESPN matchup predictor, the Tar Heels are being given only a 40 percent chance of defending home-field this week.

As North Carolina gets ready for the game, one of the biggest keys will come from starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and how he plays. Edwards has started to look much more comfortable in the offense of late, and it has allowed the Tar Heels' unit to take off.

For the year, the veteran has thrown for 2,127 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions, showing signs of life. After transferring to the Tar Heels this offseason, it has taken Edwards a little time to get used to the schemes, but he is finally putting it together out on the field.

North Carolina will have to hope that Edwards can keep things going in this game; otherwise, they could be in for a long day, even with the matchup being played at home. The Tar Heels have the talent to take down Louisville, but it will require a full 60-minute effort to get the win.