UNC football vs. Notre Dame: Scouting report, score prediction

North Carolina football hasn't enjoyed a 4-0 start since 1997, which was, coincidently, the final season for current head coach Mack Brown at the end of his first stint with the Tar Heels.

To achieve that record this season will require beating a Notre Dame program UNC has defeated just twice on the field in 22 previous games. The last of those Tar Heel wins, a 29-24 triumph in 2008, was vacated as part of self-imposed penalties following an NCAA investigation into the program.

The Fighting Irish (1-2) come to Kenan Stadium on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC) fresh off a 24-17 win at California, while the 3-0 Tar Heels rested up with an open date. Outside of the rivalry game against N.C. State on Nov. 25, this is the hottest ticket for a UNC home football game this season. The school announced it as a sellout back in August, so a crowd between 50,000 and 60,000 is expected to be in attendance.

Here's what to know about the Notre Dame-UNC matchup and a score prediction.

SOFT SECONDARY:Can Gene Chizik help UNC football improve some of the worst defensive ratings in the nation?

NO APOLOGY NEEDED:NC State's Payton Wilson says UNC QB Drake Maye shouldn't apologize for rivalry jab

STEPPING UP:UNC football injuries open door for freshman receiver Kobe Paysour, and he's stepping up

Josh Downs, Antoine Green return from injuries

They've been discussed at every press conference and in just about every story written about UNC football this season. But it appears, finally, that wide receivers Josh Downs and Antoine Green will be back in action against Notre Dame after recovering from injuries. Both returned to practice this week and add two more valuable weapons in an already potent Tar Heel passing attack.

Downs was an All-ACC first-team pick last season after racking up 101 catches for 1,335 yards and eight touchdowns. But the junior from Suwanee, Georgia, has missed the last two games due to a knee injury suffered late in the season opener against Florida A&M.

"Josh is the best player on our team and we haven’t had him since the first game,” Brown said. “I don’t think there’s a question that he’s the best player on the team.”

Green, a senior from Rockledge, Fla., was the Tar Heels' second-leading receiver last season. He has yet to see action this year after suffering a shoulder injury in preseason camp.

QB contrast

North Carolina's redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye has been dazzling in leading the Tar Heels to victories in his first three college starts. Maye is tied for first nationally with 11 touchdown passes and is 15th in passing yardage (930), while completing 74.2 percent of his throws.

Notre Dame's quarterback situation has been stable. The Irish have been forced to turn to their second-team quarterback after starter Tyler Buckner went down with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in a loss two weeks ago against Marshall. Third-year player Drew Pyne replaced Buckner and led the Fighting Irish to a win in his first career start last Saturday at Cal by completing 17 of 23 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

Will time off benefit Tar Heels?

A bye week before playing Notre Dame should benefit North Carolina in a number of ways. The Tar Heels got an extra week to study the Fighting Irish and work on correcting issues, especially on defense, that plagued them the first three games. And it provided time for physical healing by some significant injured players such as receivers Josh Downs, Antoine Green, offensive tackle Spencer Rolland and defensive tackle Myles Murphy.

But history has not been necessarily kind to UNC following bye weeks. The Tar Heels have a 3-7 record in games after the bye since 2010, including a 31-17 setback against Notre Dame in 2020. Narrow losses against Virginia Tech in 2019 (43-41 in six overtimes) and 2018 (22-19) and the 2014 blowout by East Carolina (70-41) also occurred after open dates.

Manning Mayer

Posing a major problem for North Carolina's defense will be Notre Dame's 6-foot-4½, 265-pound tight end Michael Mayer.

Mayer, a junior, has been a primary weapon for Irish quarterbacks for three seasons. He piled up 128 receptions for 1,435 yards and 11 touchdowns during that span and is already being projected as a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

"He's definitely a matchup problem,'' UNC defensive coordinator Gene Chizik said this week. "I don't think people realize the value of a great tight end. If they are big and physical, it's kind of a mismatch with the DB. Then you match him on a linebacker, a lot of times their athletic ability is a mismatch there. That's why great tight ends in the NFL are a premium because they put pressure on both. He's one of those guys.''

Senior boundary safety Giovanni Biggers will be one of the main defenders matching up against Mayer. Biggers has the size and versatility to do battle with Mayer, but will need a lot of help from his mates to keep Mayer out of the end zone.

NFL talent on display

Mayer probably won't be the only future NFL player on the field at Kenan Stadium on Saturday.

Notre Dame has produced the most NFL draft picks of any college program with 521 entering this season. A total of 70 former Fighting Irish players have been selected in the first round of the draft.

North Carolina has produced a respectable 257 draft picks with 24 first-round selections.

Of course, many factors could alter projections between now and the 2023 draft. But early mock drafts have Notre Dame defensive linemen Jayson Ademiloa and Isaiah Foskey, along with UNC receiver Josh Downs as potential first-round picks. Cornerbacks Cam Hart of Notre Dame and Tony Grimes of North Carolina are also regarded as potential draft picks.

Prediction for UNC vs. Notre Dame

North Carolina 47, Notre Dame 41: I'm sure I'll be alone on this one. But with an extra week to prepare for a Fighting Irish squad struggling out of the gate this season, North Carolina has had time to shore up some of its defensive issues. The better offense wins this one, and right now that's the Tar Heels.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: UNC football vs. Notre Dame: Scouting report, score prediction