State rivals North Carolina, Wake Forest wrestle for critical win

Fresh off defeating what was then the first-place team in the Atlantic Coast Conference, there are bigger topics on the table for Wake Forest this week.

Bill Belichick and in-state rival North Carolina arrive Saturday for an anticipated meeting in Winston-Salem, N.C.

"This is a unique opportunity with two teams that are battling for kind of where they want to finish," Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert said. "Right now in the moment, we're competing to do bigger things. I don't want (last) Saturday to be the pinnacle of our season."

Wake Forest (6-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) knocked off host Virginia 16-9, gaining bowl eligibility in the process. That was nice, but it means there's more to accomplish.

"We've got a lot of time left," Dickert said. "We've got a lot of opportunity left. Proud of our team, proud of where we're at."

North Carolina (4-5, 2-3) is trying to rise into the bowl conversation after winning back-to-back games, including last week's 20-15 decision against visiting Stanford.

"They're doing what good teams and well-coached teams do - they get better as they go throughout the season," Dickert said.

For the Tar Heels, this is the first of three consecutive games against in-state opponents.

"We know the intensity is going to be high for this game, as it should be," North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said.

Belichick did his best to steer conversation to the conference game as his name circulated for the now-vacant NFL job with the New York Giants.

North Carolina and Wake Forest have been most effective defensively. North Carolina recorded nine sacks in the Stanford game. Abou Jaoude has recorded two or more sacks in three straight games.

Dickert and many of his staff members arrived from Washington State last December. While there, they faced Washington, which had Steve Belichick on its staff. Steve Belichick is now overseeing North Carolina's defense.

"It is an aggressive style," Dickert said of the Tar Heels' defense.

Dickert said both teams' strengths are along the line of scrimmage.

"Defensively, they're very disciplined," Bill Belichick said. "They're tough. They can rush the pass ... Very physical, attacking team."

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez had two touchdown throws last week, marking the third time this year he has made multiple TD passes.

Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne has 24 career rushing touchdowns.

Recent games between the teams have been close even though the Tar Heels have won the past four matchups. The margin of victories has been seven points or less in the last five meetings.

Dickert has campaigned this week for Wake Forest fans to create "a program-changing environment" in the second home assignment against an in-state ACC opponent.

--Field Level Media