For just the second time under Bill Belichick, UNC football is favored against an ACC opponent. 

The Tar Heels (4-2, 2-1 ACC) host Syracuse (2-4, 0-4) in a primetime conference game on Saturday, Oct. 24 (7:30 p.m., ACC Network), at Kenan Stadium. The Orange will try to snap an 11-game losing streak against league opponents. 

But, as Belichick pointed out during his weekly press conference, Syracuse has been competitive in every game this season, with three losses coming in one-possession games. 

"I don't think their record is indicative of the talent that they have or the way that they're coached or the way they play. They're a lot better than that,” Belichick said. “. … We're going to have to play our best game of the year. That's what we're going to practice for."

UNC’s game against Syracuse will also be its Cancer Awareness Game, with coaches wearing sneakers painted by patients from the UNC Children’s Hospital. 

As the Tar Heels take aim at their fourth win in a row against the Orange, here are some things to know, players to watch and a score prediction. 

Which Syracuse quarterback will start vs UNC?

Syracuse could be without three quarterbacks against UNC. Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson were listed as out on the initial ACC availability report, with Steve Angeli listed as questionable to suit up against the Tar Heels. The Orange have seen five QBs appear in a game, with Danny Lauter and Zaid Lott also making appearances. If Angeli can’t play, Lauter is likely to start as a Georgetown transfer. Syracuse started Joseph Filardi, a walk-on quarterback and lacrosse player, against UNC last season. 

Derek McDonald faces former team, challenge in wide receiver Umari Hatcher

Despite the QB situation, Syracuse has playmakers if the signal-caller is able to get the ball to those playmakers. Wide receiver Umari Hatcher headlines that group as the ACC’s leading receiver with 50 catches and 784 yards and seven TDs. Hatcher is coming off a 13-catch, 224-yard performance against Louisville. He’s tied for first nationally in receptions per game at 8.3 and third nationally in receiving yards per game (130.7). So slowing down Hatcher will be among the top tasks for former Syracuse linebacker Derek McDonald and the Tar Heels’ defense. McDonald, who spent five seasons with the Orange and earned a degree, leads the ACC with 56 tackles and an average of 9.3 tackles per game as a UNC captain.

UNC wide receiver Jordan Shipp, Syracuse cornerback Chris Peal reunite 

A pair of childhood friends will reunite with UNC wide receiver Jordan Shipp and Syracuse defensive back Chris Peal matched up against each other at Kenan Stadium. State champions at Charlotte’s Providence Day School in 2023, Deal and Shipp have been among the top players in the ACC. Peal has 29 tackles and four pass breakups this season, with Shipp hauling in at least six catches across the last four games and catching a TD at Duke for the first time through six games.