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Tar Heels Look to Secure Bowl Appearance at Home

North Carolina Tar Heels RB Omarion Hampton — © Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Atlantic Coast Conference kicks off after dark at 8:00 p.m. EST on Nov. 16. Omarion Hampton and the North Carolina Tar Heels (5-4, 2-3 ACC) take on Hank Bachmeir and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-5, 2-3 ACC). The Tar Heels are on the verge of bowl eligibility and Wake Forest is rebounding after a tough loss to a lowly California program. This game takes place at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Run Tar Heels, Run

Teams can count on one thing when they line up against the Tar Heels’ offense, a dynamic running game. North Carolina has an extremely balanced offensive attack by the numbers. Quarterback Jacolby Criswell has attempted 234 passes this season for 1,871 yards while running back Hampton has carried the ball 213 times for 1,178 yards. Indeed, numbers do not lie, but they can stretch the truth a bit.

In this case, the truth is that Hampton is the Tar Heels' offense. He is torching defenses again this season. The 2023 Doak Walker Award finalist has become a household name amongst college football fans and is staking a claim as one of the top backs in the nation. He leads the ACC in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Tar Heels Key Factors

Omarion Hampton, RB

There is little doubt that Hampton will be a feature in North Carolina head coach Mack Brown’s game plan and he should be. Hampton is a hammer and everyone in the way is just another nail. His 5 TDs on Nov. 9 against Florida State made him the fourth Tar Heel to have accomplished such a feat.

Defensive Pressure

The ability to pressure the quarterback is vital to any team’s success. The Tar Heels’ defense is one of the best in college football at creating pressure. They are the No. 4 team in the country in sacks and must take advantage of a sub-par Wake Forest offensive line.

Which Wake Forest Shows Up

Wake Forest football has been a coinflip this season. On one side, a competent offense led by QB Hank Bachmeier. Bachmeier is seventh in the ACC with 2,232 yards passing and 14 TDs. The offense also leans on running back Demond Claiborne, whose hard-nosed running and 824 yards make him a top 5 back in the ACC.

Wake Forest QB Hank Bachmeier — © Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

On the flip side is the defense, which has struggled to keep everyone but North Carolina A&T out of the end zone. The Demon Deacons’ defense ranks amongst the worst in the nation and last in the ACC. They must find consistency this week or Hampton could have back-to-back 5 TD games.

Wake Forest Key Factors

Offensive Line

This unit is facing its second-toughest defensive line this year behind Ole Miss. In that game, they gave up 4 sacks and have allowed 29 sacks this season. They must keep Bachmeier upright to give themselves any chance at victory.

Taylor Morin, WR

The senior wide receiver is Bachmeier’s top target. He has 606 yards but has only found the end zone once this season. Morin is due for a breakout game and there is no better time than against an inner-state rival.

Wake Forest WR Taylor Morin — © Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Same, But Different

Both these teams enter this game with similar records. The Tar Heels have one more win overall and that is the only thing that is close about these teams. Wake Forest will be outmatched in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Hampton will cause problems for the Demon Deacons’ defense, which has struggled to stop less-exceptional running backs all year. The Tar Heels will dominate this game and become bowl-eligible for a sixth straight season.

Final score, North Carolina 34. Wake Forest 16.