CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Bill Belichick’s first Atlantic Coast Conference matchup is against the coach and team that has been the most dominant in the conference over the last decade — Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers.
But the opponent might not be as daunting for the Tar Heels (2-2) as expected as Clemson (1-3 overall, 0-2 ACC) has only won one game so far this 2025 season. The two teams are set to kick off at noon Saturday at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.
UNC will be without starting quarterback Gio Lopez, who was injured in the Tar Heels’ most recent game on Sept. 20 at UCF. Lopez was listed as “questionable” on the league-mandated availability reports that came out Thursday and Friday nights and downgraded to “out’ on the final one released two hours before the game.
Max Johnson, who replaced Lopez in both the opening game against TCU and the UCF game after he was forced out due to injuries, will start instead. Across his two appearances, Johnson has thrown for 170 yards and two touchdowns, completing 20 of 30 passes for a 66.7% completion rate.
Clemson is also coming off a bye week. The Tigers’ last game was a 34-21 loss at home to Syracuse. In that game, quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 363 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Adam Randall led Clemson’s ground game with 130 yards on 16 carries.
The Tar Heels have another bye week on tap before making a trip across the country. UNC is scheduled to play a Friday night game at Cal on Oct. 17.