Idaho @ North Carolina preview

North Carolina could easily be unbeaten as it closes out the non-conference slate by hosting Idaho on Saturday. The Tar Heels were one play away at Wake Forest and Louisville in defeats, but they seem to be improving on both sides of the ball as they approach the meat of the ACC schedule. North Carolina has surrendered only three field goals in the last six quarters and is tied with Florida State for the league lead in sacks (13). Quarterback Bryn Renner is also making strides and running back Giovani Bernard is back from a knee injury. The winless Vandals have enough offense to present a challenge for the Tar Heels, led by quarterback Dominique Blackman. Idaho, which plays in the Western Athletic Conference, dropped a 21-20 overtime decision at Virginia last year in its only other battle against an Atlantic Coast Conference team.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, RSN, ESPN3. LINE: North Carolina -24.5

ABOUT IDAHO (0-4): Blackman is averaging 29 completions, 277.3 yards and two touchdown passes over the last three games. Blackman, who initially signed with Washington before attending junior college, has completed 73.1 percent of his passes and has three receivers with at least 18 receptions and 184 yards – Najee Lovett, Jahrie Level and Mike Scott. Ryan Bass leads the ground game with 206 yards and the Vandals have a big threat in Justin Veltung, who is two yards from taking over the school record in kickoff return yardage.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (2-2): Bernard rushed for only 50 yards on 18 carries last week in the 27-6 victory over East Carolina after missing two games with a knee injury, but scored twice, and his presence will be a major plus going forward. Renner continues to put up big numbers, tying for fifth in the nation in touchdown passes with 11 and completing 62.5 percent. He has thrown for 713 yards in the last two contests, the most ever by a Tar Heels quarterback in back-to-back games. He has four players with at least 191 yards receiving, led by Erik Highsmith (22 catches, 243 yards). Defensive end Kareem Martin has seven tackles for losses.

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Carolina has outscored opponents 78-10 in the second half – 52-0 in the third quarter.

2. Idaho kicker Trey Farquhar had made 6-of-7 field-goal attempts this season and has seven of 50 or more yards in his career.

3. Tar Heels offensive guard Jonathan Cooper is expected to make his 40th career start.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 41, Idaho 13