North Carolina opens its football season on the road against division rival Virginia Tech in prime time Friday night.
The No. 10 Tarheels defeated the Hokies, 56-45, in their last matchup, and finished the 2020 season with an 8-4 record. Virginia Tech, however, finished with a losing record (5-6) for the second time in the past three years.
According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, which utilizes ESPN’s Football Power Index, Virginia Tech has a 43.7 percent chance of a home victory on Friday night. North Carolina has the opportunity to take down the Hokies in consecutive seasons since the Tar Heels won five games in a row from 1929-1945.
The Tarheels totaled 399 yards and five touchdowns on the ground during their last matchup against the Hokies. Heading into their season-opener in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech’s offense is expected to rely on their running game to keep possession. North Carolina’s defense will be a huge test for quarterback Braxton Burmeister, who struggled with injuries last season.
MORE: Watch UNC vs. Virginia Tech live on fuboTV (7-day free trial)
While UNC is favored by 5.5 points (per FanDuel) with quarterback Sam Howell, it will be a challenge for the Tar Heels to replace the talents of their former top running backs and receivers. Michael Carter, Javonte Williams, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, who entered the 2021 NFL Draft, combined for 4,761 of North Carolina’s 6,444 scrimmage yards (74%) and 48 of their 66 offensive touchdowns (73%).
Virginia Tech’s best chance to pull off an upset on Friday will be capitalizing on the lack of chemistry Howell is likely to have with his new weapons.
Here’s everything you need to know to watch UNC vs. Virginia Tech on Friday, including kickoff time, TV channels and more.
What channel is UNC vs. Virginia Tech on today?
- TV channel (national): ESPN
- Livestream: ESPN+, fuboTV
UNC vs. Virginia Tech will air live on ESPN starting at 6 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live online with ESPN+ or on fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial.
Jason Benetti and Andre Ware will call the game from the booth with Paul Carcaterra serving as the sideline reporter.
UNC vs. Virginia Tech start time
- Date: Friday, Sept. 3
- Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT
The ACC Coastal matchup begins at 6 p.m. ET and will be held at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.
UNC football schedule 2021
| Week 1 | Sept. 3 | at Virginia Tech |
| Week 2 | Sept. 11 | vs. Georgia State |
| Week 3 | Sept. 18 | vs. Virginia |
| Week 4 | Sept. 25 | at Georgia Tech |
| Week 5 | Oct. 2 | vs. Duke |
| Week 6 | Oct. 9 | vs. Florida State |
| Week 7 | Oct. 16 | vs. Miami |
| Week 8 | Oct. 30 | at Notre Dame |
| Week 9 | Nov. 6 | vs. Wake Forest |
| Week 10 | Nov. 11 | at Pittsburgh |
| Week 11 | Nov. 18 | vs. Wofford |
| Week 12 | Nov. 26 | at NC State |
Virginia Tech football schedule 2021
| Week 1 | Sept. 3 | vs. UNC |
| Week 2 | Sept. 11 | vs. Middle Tennessee |
| Week 3 | Sept. 18 | at West Virginia |
| Week 4 | Sept. 25 | vs. Richmond |
| Week 5 | Oct. 9 | vs. Notre Dame |
| Week 6 | Oct. 16 | vs. Pittsburgh |
| Week 7 | Oct. 23 | vs. Syracuse |
| Week 8 | Oct. 30 | at Georgia Tech |
| Week 9 | Nov. 5 | at Boston College |
| Week 10 | Nov. 13 | vs. Duke |
| Week 11 | Nov. 20 | at Miami |
| Week 12 | Nov. 27 | at Virginia |