UNC vs. NC State: The Rivalry Belichick Walked Into and Must Win
In the history of North Carolina versus NC State, the Tar Heels lead the series 68–40–6. But that number is about as misleading as Navy’s 14–6 all-time record in basketball against North Carolina. Sure, UNC has beaten NC State in football more recently than Navy last beat UNC hoops in 1959, but let’s be honest—the Wolfpack have owned this series for the better part of 25 years.
The Tar Heels dropped a game last week that would have kept them bowl-eligible, and while playing in a bowl would be nice, nothing matters more than beating NC State. I’ve always believed local sports media should talk about the team and the games, leaving the “page six” stuff to someone else. Winning this one means bragging rights, needling your friends over dinner, and enjoying an entire offseason knowing you took down the Wolfies. Unfortunately, this week’s stakes go beyond school pride. A loss means awkward encounters for months. Those jabs are coming either way, but at least you can fire the score back if you’re on the winning side.
Meanwhile, the “Do Your Job” coach in New England who hated distractions like the Grinch hated Christmas cheer has been living in the center of a circus. Bill Belichick’s year has been anything but under the radar. And honestly—could he not have worn a shirt without a hole in it for that interview? Anyway. I don’t need to rehash the memes or the Instagram posts to remind anyone how much motivational fuel NC State has ready to burn if their streak continues.
The offseason is a time for reflection, and I genuinely hope some lessons are learned from this year. Being connected to Bill Belichick brings attention, most of it pointless and all of it predictable. Just look at the day Jen Belichick finally had moving trucks arrive at their new home. The media pounced, spinning it as chaos when in reality it was just a coach’s family moving into a house.
My wife had some good advice the other day, and if anyone in the football building happens to read this, I hope they take it to heart: you can’t control the media watching every move, but you can shape the narrative a little and even build some goodwill. Embrace the public eye. Get involved with more local charity. It won’t erase the tabloid chatter, but it could be great for Chapel Hill. She even suggested fostering dogs or raising money for them because truly, who’s going to hate on someone helping rescue animals?
Dave Doeren knows Carter-Finley will be buzzing. He literally raised his solo cup to the crowd during the postgame last week. And honestly, has any coach rallied the fanbase for the end of the season against Carolina like Doeren? This might be his last ride in Raleigh, and going out with another win over UNC would suit him just fine. As a Tar Heel fan, I respect his devotion to hating that “baby blue,” as he loves to call it. My hope is that Bubba Cunningham convinced Belichick that the Wolfpack have ties to the New York Jets. I’m sure someone could draw that map if we need it.
Despite all the noise, Belichick can quiet plenty of it with one thing: beating NC State. His first words may have been “Beat Duke,” but this fan will gladly take a loud, proud “Go Heels” after a win in Raleigh Saturday night.
