CFB: North Carolina Tar Heels (5-1) at Duke Blue Devils (4-2)

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GAME INFO

TAR HEELS AND BLUE DEVILS
• North Carolina and Duke meet on the football field for the 101st consecutive year and the 109th time overall this Saturday, Oct. 15 in Durham.

• Carolina has won the last three games in the series, including a 56-24 victory in Durham in 2020 when Javonte Williams scored four first-half touchdowns and Sam Howell threw three touchdowns, rushed for another and finished 18 of 27 for 235 yards.

• UNC is 31-19-2 all-time in away games at Duke. However, the Blue Devils have won three of the previous five meetings at home.

• Between 1991 and 2011, the Tar Heels went 10-1 against Duke with only a loss in 2003 in a 20-year stretch.

• Carolina and Duke have met on the football field every year since 1922.

• The series dates back to 1888 when the Blue Devils won 16-0 at a neutral site.

• The first meeting in Durham occurred in 1892, a 24-0 shutout win for the traveling Tar Heels.

NATIONALLY RANKED
• North Carolina moved into the national rankings for the first time in 2022 after the win at Miami. The Tar Heels are No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and sit just outside the AP Poll with 98 votes.

LAST TIME OUT
• Drake Maye passed for 309 yards and two touchdowns, one of the a 74-yarder to J.J. Jones, and Carolina beat Miami, 27-24, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

• Josh Downs had a receiving touchdown and Omarion Hampton ran for another score.

VICTORY BELL HOLDERS
• North Carolina has held on to the Victory Bell, the traveling trophy given to the winner of the annual game between Carolina and Duke, since 2019. A win this Saturday would mark a fourth-straight victory over the Blue Devils, the longest streak for the Tar Heels since winning eight in a row from 2004-2011.

BROWN VS. DUKE
• Mack Brown is 11-2 all-time against Duke.

• Brown has won his last 11 successive games against the Blue Devils. The streak began from 1990-97 and continued with victories in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

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NCAAFB Editor
Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.