CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina had a stern message for Duke, the Coastal Division, and the College Football Playoff committee. The Tar Heels are for real.
UNC utterly dominated the Blue Devils 66-31 in a game that was supposed to be a battle for the top of the division, but turned out to be a showcase for the Heels’ offense. Quarterback Marquise Williams threw for 404 yards in the first half and finished 494 yards passing, four touchdowns through the air, and another 30 yards and a score on the ground. North Carolina, who was left out of the first playoff rankings of the year in spite of just one loss on its record, is now firmly in control of the division, and it made a strong case Saturday that it won’t be a pushover in the ACC championship game either.