Texas is just about everyone’s No. 1 team, Georgia is a solid No. 2, and Ohio State, Miami, and Alabama are hovering. But ever since the September 13, 2025, 41-40 loss to Texas A&M, Notre Dame is 14-0, winning every game by double digits.
After kicking back and grooving for two weeks on a 28-20 utter collapse of a loss to Clemson, North Carolina has had enough time to get ready to stop this Notre Dame steamroller.

Notre Dame vs North Carolina: Quick Hits

  • Notre Dame hosts Stanford next before making the tough trip to BYU.
  • North Carolina plays its next two games on the road going to Pitt and Duke.
  • Notre Dame won the last time these two played in 2022, and is 11-1 in the series since 1960.

How To Watch Notre Dame vs North Carolina

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Game Time: 12:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
– Week 5 Schedule & Predictions
– CFN Top 25 | Bowl Projections
– Predictions For Every Remaining Game
– CFN Expert Picks: Week 5

Why Notre Dame Will Win

What is Notre Dame doing that’s so right? Start with this – it’s not giving anyone even the slightest glimmer of a break.
The Irish are No. 1 in the nation in fewest penalties, with just ten so far in the first four games, and an interception against Purdue has been the lone turnover – and it hardly mattered with a 35-0 halftime lead.
North Carolina’s real issue is the inability to stop anyone on third downs. It’s 116th in the nation, allowing teams to convert 44% of the time, but …

Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidlines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Sep 12, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidlines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Why North Carolina Will Win

The Tar Heels are making up for several issues by not screwing up, either. It’s No. 1 in the nation in fewest penalty yards and fourth in fewest penalty yards per game. The four turnovers in three games weren’t great, but for the most part, the Tar Heels were able to get past them.
To have any shot of pulling this off, Bill Belichick’s defense has to hold up against the run in the second half. The Irish rely on CJ Carr and the midrange passing game early on, and then start bashing away to take over the tempo.
The Tar Heels have to muck it up. Bend, but force field goals. Stay strong against the run – the last few minutes against Clemson have to be a blip – and mostly, get pressure on Carr. The Irish have allowed just two sacks and eight tackles for loss so far.

Notre Dame vs North Carolina Prediction, Betting Lines

Along with their ultra-effective offense, Notre Dame has the nation’s No. 1 defense. Remember, it stuffed a Wisconsin team that just took down Penn State in Happy Valley, and dominated a Purdue offense that ripped up the UCLA defense.
North Carolina’s offense won’t do much of anything in this. The Tar Heels will need the Irish to screw up, and it’ll happen – at least in the first half. Bill Belichick will come up with enough of a creative pass rush to bother Carr, but time and again that top Irish defense will pick up the slack.
Notre Dame 34, North Carolina 13
Latest Consensus Line: Notre Dame -21.5, o/u: 47.5
ATS Confidence (out of 5): 2
Must See Rating (out of 5): 3.5

Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Source: Yahoo Sports