Virginia @ North Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2010 ) North Carolina 44, Virginia 10

THE STORY: Virginia and North Carolina are in prime position for relevancy after two straight seasons finishing in the bottom half of the ACC’s Coastal Division. Both schools, though, are fortunate to be 2-0 and enter this conference opener after surviving major mental mistakes last week. Virginia blew a 20-point lead before kicking a last-second field goal to beat Indiana, while North Carolina squeaked by Rutgers, 24-22, despite five turnovers. The Cavaliers are searching for their first ACC road win since 2009, while the Tar Heels are trying to win their first conference opener since 2000.

TV: ESPNU. LINE: North Carolina -10

ABOUT VIRGINIA (2-0): Sophomore QB Michael Rocco hasn’t showed much poise late in games in his first season as a starter. Rocco has yet to throw a touchdown but has two picks, which almost cost the Cavaliers a victory last week. He failed to convert a single third down through the air in either of Virginia’s final two scoring drives against the Hoosiers. He’s had time in the pocket, as he’s only been sacked twice, but his decision-making isn’t near what it should be entering league play.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (2-0): The Cavaliers’ default offensive option happens to line up across from the Tar Heels’ most intrinsic defensive strength. North Carolina leads the ACC in rushing defense at just 30 yards per game and held Rutgers to just one total yard on the ground last weekend. The Tar Heels could dominate the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Heels’ offensive line averages 305 pounds, while Virginia’s biggest defensive tackle tips the scales at only 280.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Virginia's Robert Randolph leads the nation after going 8-for-8 on field goals through the first two games, including last week’s 23-yard game-winner.

2. UNC sophomore quarterback Bryn Renner has been deadly accurate, going 42-of-49, including hitting 19 consecutive passes at one point.

3. Virginia won the four previous matchups before being walloped 44-10 last season.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 31, Virginia 16 – Field goals for the Cavaliers won’t be good enough in conference play. Renner will pick on starting freshman cornerback Demetrious Nicholson the same way Indiana did when it scored 21 points in the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter last week.