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FACTS & STATS: Site: Kenan Memorial Stadium (60,000) -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Television:Raycom. Home Record: Virginia 0-2, UNC 2-0. Away Record: Virginia 0-1, UNC 1-1. Neutral Record: Virginia 0-0, UNC 0-0. Conference Record: Virginia 0-0, UNC 0-1. Series Record: North Carolina leads, 56-53-4.

GAME NOTES: The North Carolina Tar Heels get a three-game homestand started this weekend, as they host the winless Virginia Cavaliers in ACC play at Chapel Hill.

The Tar Heels opened their ACC slate last weekend and once again were unable to come out on top, falling 24-7 at Georgia Tech. It marked the ninth straight loss in an ACC opener for UNC, which dropped out of the Top 25 following its first setback in four games. On a positive note, the Tar Heels are now set to play three straight and five of their next six games at home, setting the stage for what could be a nice run.

As for Virginia, it had the week off to heal and focus on turning its season around. The Cavs are currently winless at 0-3 and that includes a season- opening loss to William & Mary, a FCS program. Most recently, the team let one get away, as it was clipped at Southern Miss, 37-34, on September 19th.

Virginia however, has had success against UNC of late, winning nine of the past 11 meetings, including a 16-13 overtime triumph in Charlottesville last season. The Tar Heels though, are still ahead in the all-time series by a narrow 56-53-4 count.

The Cavs made the most of their opportunities against USM in the first half, but after the intermission the squad was limited to just one touchdown and that wasn't enough in 37-34 setback. Virginia totaled 390 yards of offense, well above its season average of 278.3 ypg, and quarterback Jameel Sewell put forth his best effort of the campaign in the loss. He not only threw for 312 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but he also rushed for 23 yards and two more scores. It was quite a performance by Sewell, who has struggled with consistency and has thrown just four touchdowns against five picks on the season. Still, he is one of the most talented players on the team and even leads the ground attack with 98 yards and three scores. Kris Burd was Sewell's top target against USM, breaking through for six receptions, 79 receiving yards and a touchdown. Freshman Tim Smith even showed a glimpse of his talent, as he pulled in a 69-yard touchdown pass.

Virginia's defense did some good things last game, like force three turnovers, but the unit simply could not slow down USM on the ground and that made the difference. The Cavs, who let two 17-point leads slip away, gave up 214 of its 344 total yards on the ground to USM. Stopping the run continues to be an issues for Virginia, as the defense is now allowing 180.7 ypg on the ground this season. The unit though, did make some big plays and created three turnovers after recording just two in its first two games. Chase Minnifield had his best game with 10 tackles and fumble recovery, while Steve Greer had six stops and one of the team's two sacks.

The Tar Heels were simply shut down on offense last weekend, managing only 154 total yards and one touchdown in a loss at Georgia Tech. UNC, which was averaging 27.7 ppg and 358.7 total ypg heading into the game, had only 17 rushing yards to go with three turnovers and a 1-of-11 showing on third downs. T.J. Yates had his issues under center and he completed only 11-of-26 tosses for 137 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. It was clearly a disappointing performance by Yates, who had completed 67.1 percent of his tosses through the first three games. One of the few positives from last weekend's loss was the performance of Erik Highsmith. The talented freshman receiver posted his second straight 100-yard effort, finishing with six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Highsmith made his first start the prior week and responded well and he appears to be emerging as consistent threat for UNC.

Heading into last weekend's game, UNC's defense was limiting foes to just 198.7 total ypg, including only 52.3 rushing ypg, so there was obvious reason for optimism that this group could hold its own against GT and its spread- option attack. However, when all was said and done, the Tar Heels' defense had a lot of explaining to do. The unit was torched for 317 yards on the ground, allowing Tech to convert 10-of-19 third down chances and possess the ball for over 42 minutes. UNC came up with just one sack and no turnovers and were rather lucky to only allow 24 points in the loss. Kendric Burney paced the defense with 11 stops, while Robert Quinn had 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Quinn has been a solid producer for UNC thus far and he leads the team with three sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.

The Tar Heels have a lot to be concerned with on offense, but the defense is good enough to carry them past a Virginia club that can't seem to avoid mistakes.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: North Carolina 27, Virginia 13