The Illinois Fighting Illini and North Carolina Tar Heels meet in Chapel Hill. Who’ll win this edition of the Big Ten-ACC challenge? We take a look below in the Illinois vs. North Carolina prediction and game preview.

Illinois vs. North Carolina Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Network: ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

North Carolina and Illinois square off in an ACC-Big Ten, the Heels first game with a Big Ten opponent in a decade. Carolina split its first two games, but routing North Carolina A&T last Saturday reveals little about this team’s potential. Similarly, the Illini is a mystery, with answers to come this weekend. Yeah, Illinois has won by a combined score of 96-3, but what do we really know when Kent State and Western Illinois were the victims?

Why Illinois Will Win

The Illini are nothing if not confident right now after mauling two opponents to start the Bill Cubit era. Despite the early returns, Carolina still has a ton to prove on defense this season. The Tar Heels must contend with the running of Josh Ferguson and the passing of Wes Lunt, who’s opened with five touchdown passes and just one pick.

Why North Carolina Will Win

The Tar Heels can match the balance of the Illini, but with a better offensive line and deeper receivers. Carolina has QB Marquise Williams and RB Elijah Hood to match Lunt and Ferguson, respectively. Plus, it has a Landon Turner-led O-line and a slew of options on the outside. This is a tough matchup for an Illinois D that’s yet to be tested.

Player Who Matters

How close to full strength is Illinois DE Jihad Ward? Ward is a next-level pass rusher who underwent surgery last month and missed the opener. He had a tackle last week, impressive to even be in pads so quickly. But now Ward needs to wreak havoc off the edge to get Williams out of his comfort zone.

What’s Going To Happen?

Carolina is about to end Illinois’ perfect season, while moving a game above the .500 mark. Both teams have defensive holes. The Tar Heels will do a better job of exploiting them, running Hood up the gut and getting a solid afternoon out of Williams. Both offenses will generate 400 yards, but Carolina will be more efficient in the red zone.

Illinois vs. North Carolina Score Prediction

Final: North Carolina 37, Illinois 27, Line: North Carolina -9, o/u: 63.5

Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 3

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