UNC's offense is one of the country's worst units. We tell you what the Tar Heels need to do offensively for a win in their ACC opener vs. Clemson.
When Saturday afternoon rolls around, it'll pit two of the ACC's greatest, 2025 football disappointments against each other.
UNC will host Clemson for a 12 p.m. kickoff. North Carolina (2-2) still hasn't proven its ability to beat quality opponents, while the Tigers (1-3, 0-2 ACC) lost to Syracuse by 13 at home.
The Tar Heels' offense is amongst the FBS' worst units, averaging just 263.5 yards per game. Only Northern Illinois (251) and Massachusetts (225.8) are worse.
UNC started Gio Lopez at quarterback in each of its first four games, with mixed results to show. Lopez totaled three touchdowns in a Week 3 victory against Richmond, but has just one other score in North Carolina's games against TCU, Charlotte and UCF.
Sophomores Jordan Shipp and Chris Culliver are showing promise at wide receiver, but a lack of consistent, quarterback production is limiting their potential.
Freshman running back Demon June is the Tar Heels' greatest surprise, leading his teammates with 250 rushing yards – and a touchdown – on 33 carries. Buried on UNC's depth chart to start its 2025 season, June is unquestionably the starter going forward.
Lopez injured himself again in Week 4's loss at UCF, thrusting Max Johnson into action. Johnson earned North Carolina's starting gig in 2024, but spent most of the year recovering from a broken leg. Johnson is outplaying Lopez in limited action, proving he should start going forward.
Is a Saturday victory possible for the Tar Heels? Yes, but they need to consistently move the football. Take a look at our offensive keys for a Week 6 UNC victory.
Start Max Johnson
Johnson, currently North Carolina's backup, completed 20 of his first 30 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. Lopez has 430 passing yards and three touchdowns, but also three interceptions.
Johnson started for four years between SEC programs LSU and Texas A&M. 2024 was Lopez' first as a starter – at South Alabama, a Sun Belt school.
It doesn't matter if the Tar Heels paid Lopez $4 million in NIL money to play in Chapel Hill. Johnson is the better quarterback right now – and if UNC wants to win a couple more games, Johnson is the right decision.
Incorporate tight ends into the passing game
Jake Johnson, Max's younger brother, leads North Carolina tight ends with 55 yards – and a touchdown – on just seven catches. Jordan Owens is the only other Tar Heel tight end to catch a pass, with three receptions for 11 yards.
UNC enjoyed the luxuries of Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver in 2024, but now has to replace that production this fall.
If North Carolina can find ways to get Johnson, Owens, Shamar Easter and other tight ends involved Saturday, it forces Clemson to focus defensive strategy elsewhere.
Take care of the football
Turnovers harmed any limited momentum the Tar Heels generated against UCF, as Lopez tossed a pair of interceptions.
Despite Clemson's defensive struggles so far throughout 2025, its defensive talent is too great to ignore. The Tigers are a type of team that will make UNC pay – and score off turnovers.
North Carolina can't guarantee itself an upset win without turnovers against Clemson, but North Carolina can sure help that possibility by doing so.
Work in play-action passes
Lopez is more of a play-action quarterback. He gives the Tar Heels a needed running ability at quarterback, but can also find receivers downfield on the fakes.
Johnson is more of a strong-arm quarterback, but he also has experience to thrive in play-action play-calling. UNC previously played well in play action, so why not confuse Clemson with the same?
Continue feeding Demon June until you have to throw
When a team needs points and is trailing by 20+ late, that team typically throws the football to try and pick up chunk plays. That's exactly what North Carolina did two weekends ago in Orlando.
June only recorded 10 carries, collecting 50 yards on those touches. The week before against Richmond, June ran for 148 yards – and his first collegiate touchdown – on 14 carries.
The Tar Heels need to establish their running game early against Clemson, with June at the forefront. Until Saturday gets out of hand, keep looking to June for offensive production.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football's offensive keys to victory against Clemson Tigers
Category: General Sports
