Here’s a look at things to watch and a score prediction for UNC’s penultimate game of the regular season.

UNC football has been a force on the road in 2024.

Following a pair of blowout victories at Virginia and Florida State, the Tar Heels (6-4, 3-3 ACC) will close out their away schedule at Boston College (5-5, 2-4) on Saturday (Noon, CW Network) at Alumni Stadium.

A victory against the Eagles would give UNC wins in four of its five road games this season. The Tar Heels have won six of their eight games against BC, including five in a row, but the teams haven’t played since UNC’s 26-22 win at Boston College in 2020.

UNC’s Omarion Hampton, Boston College’s Kye Robichaux racking up rushing yards

Every conversation about the Tar Heels starts with head coach Mack Brown or running back Omarion Hampton. If Hampton reaches 78 rushing yards at BC, he’ll be the fourth ACC player in the last 20 years to have back-to-back seasons with at least 1,500 rushing yards. The Eagles are 47th nationally in rushing defense (130.4 yards per game). In three of its five losses, Boston College has allowed a player to run for 100 or more yards.

On the other side, Boston College running back Kye Robichaux is on a tear of his own. In the last two games, Robichaux has rushed for 278 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. UNC’s run defense has been a lot better in recent weeks, limiting Virginia, FSU and Wake Forest to a combined 163 rushing yards.

Travis Shaw, Donovan Ezeiruaku among defensive players to watch in UNC vs Boston College

UNC defensive lineman Travis Shaw is coming off his best game as a Tar Heel. Shaw had four tackles, including a career-high two for loss, along with a fumble recovery and pass breakup against Wake Forest. As a whole, UNC’s defensive line continues to be a key to the Tar Heels’ turnaround.

As for Boston College, defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku remains among the top sack artists in the nation. Ezeiruaku is fourth in the country with 11 sacks and tied for eighth in tackles for loss (14)

Boston College quarterback Grayson James takes over for Thomas Castellanos

Thomas Castellanos lost his starting job as Boston College’s quarterback and will reportedly enter the transfer portal, opening the door for Grayson James to step in and try to get the Eagles to bowl eligibility. BC is a run-heavy team, but James accounted for two touchdowns and had 237 passing yards in the Week 12 loss to SMU.

UNC vs Boston College score prediction

UNC 31, Boston College 20: Mack Brown has talked about UNC’s newfound confidence, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. That confidence will be tested in a noon start on the road, but the Tar Heels have enough talent to get their seventh win of the season.