After a much-needed bye week to evaluate their up-and-down begin to 2026, the North Carolina Tar Heels play arguably their hardest soccer sport this fall on Saturday.

UNC welcomes Notre Dame, a staff many count on to win the Nationwide Championship, for a 12 p.m. kickoff. If North Carolina beat Clemson on the nineteenth, there’s an opportunity Saturday’s sport is in primetime, with a pregame School GameDay go to in retailer.

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Regardless of not enjoying final weekend, the Tar Heels moved up in USA TODAY Sports activities’ re-rank of all 138 FBS groups, climbing three spots to 53rd.

UNC finds itself one spot behind Kentucky, plus one slot forward of Illinois. Notre Dame (4-0) is ranked third, behind Georgia (first) and Texas.

North Carolina’s protection is amongst the nation’s high items. Xavier Lewis leads a deep rotation within the trenches, whereas Peyton Seelmann and Derek McDonald are tackling machines at linebacker. Kaleb Value is the Tar Heels’ veteran chief of their secondary, whereas Greg Smith‘s emergence is essential.

UNC’s offense has playmakers, notably within the working again room. Benjamin Corridor practically single-handedly anchored North Carolina in its loss at Clemson, totaling 145 yards and a landing. Demon June has 4 dashing scores. Jelani Thurman provides the Tar Heels a big-play tight finish harking back to Eric Ebron.

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UNC wants constant quarterback play if it needs the slightest likelihood at successful Saturday. Billy Edwards seemed strong in Weeks One and Two, however struggled on the Tigers.

North Carolina already had one upset below its belt this season. Can the Tar Heels shock the faculty soccer world once more?

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UNC Soccer: Images from loss at Clemson

Sep 19, 2026; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; College of North Carolina Tar Heels offensive lineman Christo Kelly (56) celebrates after a landing early within the first quarter in opposition to the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Ashley Tumlin-Imagn Pictures

(Ashley Tumlin, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)

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UNC Soccer: Images from loss at Clemson

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UNC Soccer: Images from loss at Clemson

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UNC Soccer: Images from loss at Clemson

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5 takeaways from UNC’s second-half Saturday collapse at Clemson

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UNC Soccer: Images from loss at Clemson

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Invoice Belichick stays dedicated to Billy Edwards Jr. at quarterback

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UNC Soccer: Images from loss at Clemson

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UNC Soccer: Images from loss at Clemson

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This text initially appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC rises in USA TODAY Sports activities’ Week 4 CFB re-rank regardless of bye week