CHAPEL HILL, N.C. _ North Carolina's players know this opportunity does not come often.
The Tar Heels last played a No. 1 team in 2015, when they lost 45-37 to Clemson in the ACC Championship game.
They have another shot at No. 1 Clemson (4-0) on Saturday at Kenan Stadium. Vegas sees this game being a blowout with Clemson a 27.5-point favorite as of Friday morning.
"I don't think I've ever been that big of an underdog," UNC coach Mack Brown said in a press conference Monday.
Clemson has won 19 consecutive games and two of the past four national championships. It has one of the best offenses and defenses in the country.
UNC (2-2) has lost two straight _ to Wake Forest by six and Appalachian State by three _ and is a program still trying to rebound from a 2-9 season in 2018.
But that won't stop UNC's players from believing.
UNC freshman quarterback Sam Howell, who was recruited by Clemson, said he's excited about the opportunity to play the Tigers..
"As a kid you always dream of playing in games like this," he said Tuesday. "With challenge comes opportunity."
UNC sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel said the same.
"Most teams don't get to play the No. 1 team in the country, so we're going at it full force this week," Gemmel said Tuesday. "We're trying to shock the nation."
