The Syracuse University football team will host the North Carolina Tar Heels on Friday night at the JMA Wireless Dome in a nationally televised game (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

The Orange enter the contest at 3-5 overall, but just 1-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. They have lost four straight.

North Carolina, led by first-year coach Bill Belichick, is going through its own struggles. The Tar Heels are 2-5 and 0-3 in ACC play. They also have lost four straight.

'Cuse can hand Belichick another embarrassing loss

Belichick, regarded in some circles as the best coach in NFL history, has not had a smooth transition to college football. Marred by massive roster turnover, dysfunction in the program, and his very public relationship with 24-year-old Jordan Hudson, there are some wondering if Belichick will be one-and-done in Chapel Hill.

Considering 'Cuse is 1-4 in league play, this should be a game that UNC thinks it can win, especially with the Orange on their second-string QB (Rickie Collins). Collins has thrown for six touchdowns and eight interceptions on the year.

Belichick won six Super Bowl titles as the head coach of the New England Patriots but took the UNC job after he was unable to secure an NFL job following his dismissal from the New England Patriots at the end of the 2023 season.

'Cuse can turn the tables as well

The Orange should also think that the Tar Heels are ripe for the picking given their struggles, and they should be looking forward to the matchup as well. After this week, the Orange are faced with the difficult tasks of playing No. 10 Miami and No. 12 Notre Dame. While 1-7 Boston College looks winnable in the final game of the season, Syracuse doesn't want to get to that matchup on a seven-game losing streak.

North Carolina should have other chances to get wins, with Stanford (3-5) and North Carolina State (4-4) on the schedule still.

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