CHAPEL HILL — UNC football heads to UConn for its final nonconference game of the regular season. 

Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels (4-4, 2-3 ACC) will try to snap a two-game losing streak and move within a game of bowl eligibility with a bounce-back performance against the Huskies (4-4). 

Kickoff is set for noon in East Hartford and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network. 

“Looking forward to getting back on track and, again, having a good week continuing to build and improve,” UNC coach Bill Belichick said during his weekly press conference. “We’ll try to play our best game this weekend.” 

Three of the Tar Heels’ four wins have come away from Chapel Hill and UNC has won three of its four games against the Huskies. 

Here are some things to know, players to watch and a score prediction for UNC vs. UConn. 

UNC third-down defense has to be better vs UConn 

The Tar Heels have struggled to get off the field, allowing opponents to convert 44.2% of third-down situations. That mark ranks 123rd nationally, with only four Power Four defenses posting a worse third-down percentage defensively. UConn is 65th nationally with a third-down conversion percentage of 40.6%, so the opportunity for improvement is there for Bill Belichick’s defense. 

Billy Edwards raising game for Tar Heels offense 

Questions about the quarterback position were warranted after UNC’s loss at Clemson, but Billy Edwards Jr. has responded to the challenge since that setback in Death Valley to put the Tar Heels in position for wins. The reigning ACC Quarterback of the Week, Edwards had 341 yards and four TDs against Miami. He continues to find different receivers with quick decisions and has consistently shown an ability to bounce back after big hits. UConn is 115th in passing defense, allowing 13 TDs and an average of 249.1 yards per game. 

UConn QB Kalieb Osborne is unique dual threat 

UNC continues to look for its first win against a marquee quarterback and this week offers another opportunity to breakthrough in that category. UConn quarterback Kalieb Osborne is a true dual threat, averaging 273.4 yards per game in total offense to rank 27th nationally. Osborne has limited turnovers, throwing 14 passing TDs with two interceptions. He’s logged a rushing and passing TD in half of the games.