Off to its best start since 1997, the Tar Heels (5-1) will try to break a 13-game losing streak to the Cavaliers in Scott Stadium. Carolina is coming off a 29-24 come-from-behind victory over Notre Dame last Saturday at Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels won the turnover battle 5-0, including a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown by Quan Sturdivant . All-star wide receiver Hakeem Nicks caught nine passes and had 141 yards receiving while tailback Shaun Draughn rushed for 91 yards.

In this week’s Top 25 polls, North Carolina moved up to No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and entered the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll for the first time at No. 21. Carolina is also ranked 20th in the Harris Interactive poll. The AP ranking is the highest for a Tar Heel football team since the 1998 preseason poll when UNC was 12th.

The Heels are currently ranked 92nd in the nation in rushing offense (128 YPG), 71st in passing offense (204 YPG), 91st in total offense, and 37th in scoring offense. The Hoos will counter with the nations 70th best run defense, the 70th best pass efficiency defense, the 62nd total defense, and the nation’s 56th best scoring defense.

The weekend was not without some bad news for the Heels, who lost big playmaker Brandon Tate for the season to a knee injury. Not only does it erase the Tar Heels’ most dynamic big-play threat and a key cog in the offense’s best position group, but a quick-strike special teams weapon as well.

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