Duke vs. North Carolina Preview: Head-to-Head, PFSN Grades, and Prediction for College Football Week 13

North Carolina hosts Duke in an ACC rivalry matchup as both teams battle for the Victory Bell and a late-season win.

North Carolina ( 4-6, 2-4) will host Duke (5-5, 4-2) in a rivalry matchup with the Victory Bell on the line. This will be Bill Belichick’s first time coaching in this rivalry and Manny Diaz’s second.

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Duke vs. North Carolina Details

  • Date: November 22, 2025
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Predicted weather at kick: 73 degrees with a 30% chance of rain
  • How to watch: ACC Network

Duke vs. North Carolina Head-to-Head Record

Saturday marks the 111th meeting between Duke and North Carolina. The rivalry began on November 27, 1888, in Raleigh, where Duke gained the first victory in the series. Since then, the Tar Heels have taken the lead, holding a 65-41-4 record over the Blue Devils.

The Victory Bell was introduced in 1948 to add stakes to the overall matchup. North Carolina won the first trophy.

From 2019 to 2023, North Carolina won five straight games until Duke stopped the streak last season by beating the Tar Heels 21-20 on September 28, 2024. Duke now attempts to build a new streak.

Duke vs. North Carolina Grades

PFSN College OFFi

  • Duke (85.2, B)
  • North Carolina (70.2, C-)

PFSN College DEFi

  • Duke (81.1, B-)
  • North Carolina (71.1, C-)

PFSN College OLi

  • Duke (82.6, B-)
  • North Carolina (63.3, D)

PFSN College QBi

  • Darian Mensah, Duke (90, A-)
  • Gio Lopez, North Carolina (73, C)

PFSN College RBi

  • Nate Sheppard, Duke (84.2, B)
  • Demon June, North Carolina (75, C)

PFSN College WRi

  • Cooper Barkate, Duke (82.3, B-)
  • Jordan Shipp, North Carolina (74.8, C)

PFSN College TEi

  • Jeremiah Hasley, Duke (81.6, B-)
  • Connor Cox, North Carolina (73.8, C)

PFSN College EDGEi

  • Wesley Williams, Duke (76.7, C)
  • Melkart Abou-Jaoude, North Carolina (74.9, C)

PFSN College DTi

  • Aaron Hall, Duke (83, B-)
  • CJ Mims, North Carolina (77, C)

PFSN College LBi

  • Tre Freeman, Duke (77.1, C+)
  • Andrew Simpson, North Carolina (76.5, C)

PFSN College CBi

  • Chandler Rivers, Duke (86.4, B)
  • Jaiden Patterson, North Carolina (82, B-)

PFSN College SAFi

  • Caleb Weaver, Duke (76.6, C)
  • Gavin Gibson, North Carolina (82, B-)

Duke vs. North Carolina Prediction

Neither team enters this matchup with a winning record, but Duke appears to have a clearer edge. North Carolina may hold a home-field advantage, but they have struggled on both sides of the ball this season. Their offense has lacked consistency, while their defense has struggled in coverage, an issue that puts them at a disadvantage.

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Duke, meanwhile, is coming off a two-game losing streak, to UConn on November 8 and Virginia on November 15, but they have shown they can compete with stronger teams. The Blue Devils beat both Clemson and California, while UNC lost to both. The Tar Heels are also coming off a loss to Wake Forest, 28-12.

Quarterback Darian Mensah remains a strong asset and leader for Duke, throwing 3,007 yards for 25 touchdowns. His production gives Duke the ability to control the pace of the game and capitalize on UNC’s defensive struggles. Duke should be able to pull out a win and keep the Victory Bell in Durham.

Prediction: Duke 31, North Carolina 24

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