FACTS & STATS: Site: Kenaan Stadium (60,000) -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Television: Local. Home Record: Virginia 1-0, UNC 1-0. Away Record: Virginia 0-1, UNC 0-1. Neutral Record: Virginia 0-0, UNC 0-0. Conference Record: Virginia 1-0, UNC 0-0. Series Record: North Carolina leads, 57-50-4.

GAME NOTES: For the 112th time the Virginia Cavaliers and the North Carolina Tar Heels will collide on the gridiron, as the two schools get set for a tough ACC battle from Kenaan Stadium. The Cavs opened the season with a road setback against Wyoming, but the team rebounded this past weekend with a solid, 24-13 victory over ACC foe Duke. After this weekend's contest the Cavs will have the luxury of hosting three of their next four games. As for the Tar Heels, they opened their season with a convincing, 37-14 victory over James Madison. However, the team was unable to sustain that momentum, falling to East Carolina, 34-31, this past weekend. It does not get any easier for UNC after this week, as the team will hit the road to face USF and Virginia Tech. As mentioned early these two teams have squared off 111 times, and in those contests the Cavs have posted a 57-50-4 record, and that includes a solid 23-0 victory over UNC last season.

After scoring just three points in a season-opening loss to Wyoming, the Cavs put together a much more complete attack this past week against Duke. In the 24-13 victory over the Blue Devils, the Cavs accumulated 324 total yards, including a solid 133 yards on the ground. Cedric Peerman was terrific in the win, rushing for 137 yards and one score on 19 totes. It was a much better performance for the tailback who tallied just 18 yards in the opener. The passing attack was also better in the win over Duke, as Peter Lalich and Jameel Sewell both performed well. Lalich threw for 131 yards and one touchdown, while Sewell added 60 yards through the air to go along with one score. Tom Santi was on the receiving end of both scores as the wideout finished with six catches for 54 yards. Overall the Cavs were just 5-of-14 on third down conversions, but the team was much better in the red zone, converting 3-of-4 chances.

Just like the offense, the defensive unit also played a much better game in week two. In the victory over Duke, the defense held Blue Devils to just 229 total yards, including just 84 yards on 34 carries (2.5 ypc). It was a tremendous improvement for the front line which surrendered 199 rushing yards in the loss to Wyoming. The defense only forced one turnover this past weekend, however, the unit was able to put pressure on Duke's QB, recording five sacks in the victory. The unit also did well against the Blue Devils on third down, holding Duke to a meager 5-of-19 showing. Chris Long had a solid contest for the Cavs, racking up eight tackles and two sacks, while Jon Cooper also had a complete game by collecting seven stops to go along with one interception and one sack.

Although the Tar Heels stumbled last week the offense was still able to produce 31 points in the setback to ECU. After two games UNC is averaging 34.0 ppg and a solid 375 ypg. The majority of those yards have come from the passing attack, which is posting 285.5 ypg. In the loss to ECU, the Tar Heels once again relied heavily on the pass as the team posted 344 yards through the air. T. J. Yates was terrific in the contest, completing 20-of-32 passes for three touchdowns. The signal caller did tossed an interception and was sacked three times. Yates has done a fine job in the first two games, completing 66 percent of his passes for 562 yards and six scores. Brandon Tate has been a downfield threat thus far, as the wide out is averaging a whopping 35.2 yards per catch. In the loss to ECU Tate only caught three passes, however those three catches went for 102 yards and two scores. Unfortunately UNC has not had the same success on the ground, as the team is producing a meager 89.5 ypg. Johnny White has been the best option thus far, as the tailback is averaging only 46.0 ypg.

UNC was able to hold James Madison to just 14 points in an opening day victory, but the unit struggled in the three-point loss to the Pirates. The biggest issue for UNC thus far has been its inability to stop the pass, as the unit is allowing 253.0 ypg through the air. In the setback to ECU the Tar Heels were abused for 470 total yards, and 406 of those yards came via the pass. The defense was unable to force a turnover in the contest and also struggled with its pressure on the QB, finishing the game with just two sacks. The defense was on the field for over 36 minutes, allowing ECU to convert on 7-of-16 third down attempts and 3-of-6 red-zone opportunities. Durell Mapp led the contest with 11 tackles and also grabbed one TFL. After just two games it is clear that Mapp is the defensive leader, as the linebacker is pacing the squad with 27 stops.

This is definitely a tough battle between two teams still searching for an identity. The Cavs have had success running the ball, but thus far UNC has had no trouble stopping the opponent's ground game. If the Tar Heels can contain the Cavs ground game expect to see a home victory for UNC.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: North Carolina 24, Virginia 21