Old Dominion @ North Carolina preview

North Carolina could not envision becoming bowl eligible after opening the season with five losses in its first six games. But one year after not being eligible due to NCAA sanctions, the Tar Heels can punch their ticket to a bowl game with a victory Saturday at home against Old Dominion. North Carolina has won four contests in a row after squandering a 24-point lead before downing Pittsburgh 34-27, and a victory over the Monarchs will give the Tar Heels their longest winning streak in 12 years.

North Carolina is 2-0 since losing standout quarterback Bryn Renner to a season-ending shoulder injury Nov. 2. Freshman Ryan Switzer returned two punts for touchdowns last week, including the game-winning score with 4:46 remaining. The Monarchs are playing well in a transition year from FCS to FBS, winning eight of their past nine.

TV: Noon ET, Fox Sports Carolinas, ESPN3. LINE: North Carolina, -17.5

ABOUT OLD DOMINION (8-3): Quarterback Taylor Heinicke drives an offense averaging 532.5 yards of total offense. The junior has thrown for 3,892 yards and 32 touchdowns while completing 71.6 percent of his passes and averaging 353.8 yards per contest. Receiver Larry Pinkard needs 28 yards in Saturday’s season finale to reach 1,000 yards for the season.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (5-5, 4-3 ACC): Switzer won conference specialist and co-rookie of the week honors, and has reached the end zone on three of his last five punt returns. The Tar Heels have cranked up their pressure on opposing quarterbacks during their winning streak, recording seven sacks last week. The future looks bright for Larry Fedora’s squad; nine of the 14 North Carolina players who have scored touchdowns this season are either freshmen or sophomores.

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Carolina TE Eric Ebron needs 181 receiving yards to tie the ACC season record for the most at the position (Maryland’s Vernon Davis had 871 yards in 2005).

2. Old Dominion is 0-2 against ACC teams this season, losing to Maryland 47-10 and Pittsburgh 35-24.

3. North Carolina DE Kareem Martin won ACC defensive lineman of the week after recording eight tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery against Pittsburgh.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 34, Old Dominion 23