North Carolina vs Duke head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 7, Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The Breakdown
Dead heat: both 58 composites. Duke's 3.3★ D-line versus North Carolina's 2.8★ O-line is the tiebreaker.
When North Carolina has the ball: The 2.8★ O-line draws Duke's 3.3★ D-line, though those Blue Devil linemen average just 1.8 years.
When Duke has the ball: 3.0★ receivers face North Carolina's 3.5★ secondary averaging three years — the toughest coverage assignment here.
Swing factor: Both quarterbacks are first-year transfers at 3★ and three years: Billy Edwards Jr versus Walker Eget.
X-factor: Duke hosts this in-state rivalry on a Week 7 October Saturday; home field decides coin flips.