Rigorous schedule lurks on Tar Heel horizon

North Carolina football has reached No. 1.

Granted, the team's ascent occurred in the CBS Sportsline strength of schedule rating and not the top 25, but it could make UNC's 2-2 record a little less disheartening for Tar Heel fans.

UNC's first four opponents have a combined two losses on the season -- both of which came at the hands of the Tar Heels.

And the two teams that defeated UNC -- Virginia and Louisville -- have risen in the rankings to No. 12 and No. 22, respectively.

But the season's first four games seem like a cakewalk compared to the brunt of the Tar Heel schedule, which kicks off Saturday against No. 9 Florida State in Tallahassee.

"This opponent is the toughest we've played, particularly in terms of their defense," said Coach John Bunting. "This defense is not nearly as wild and crazy as what we faced last week; they are just good. Real, real, real, real good."

Because Chris Rix sprained his ankle last week against Clemson, sophomore QB Wyatt Sexton will make his first career start for the Seminoles. Sexton, who hails from Tallahassee, made an official recruiting visit to North Carolina but ended up choosing the squad where his father is an assistant head coach.

"We liked him a lot," Bunting said. "It was just hard to beat Daddy in the recruiting game."

After challenging the Seminoles on Saturday, the schedule does not become easier for the Tar Heels with games against N.C. State, No. 14 Utah, No. 4 Miami and Virginia Tech looming consecutively.

Bunting called the upcoming stretch undoubtedly his toughest in his four-year UNC tenure.

"I enjoy the challenge," he said. "This is like playing the Cowboys in Dallas every week -- in the old days."

And for a team that enters this stretch as a decided underdog in each of the upcoming games, one advantage of the tougher schedule is that the Tar Heels can take an aggressive but relaxed approach, knowing that they have little to lose.

"We have the opportunity to go out there and showcase our talent against the best guys week in and week out," said sophomore wide receiver Jesse Holley.

"I'm so excited this week about playing Florida State. That makes my adrenaline just pump, that gets my blood going, that gets me all revved up."

This UNC squad, which failed to score a point against Louisville, will need a drastically improved offensive performance keyed by Holley and others just to keep the Tar Heels afloat this week -- and in the games ahead.

"(Florida State and Miami) are amazingly fast and play very, very hard every single play," Bunting said. "It's incredible. It's an absolute 40-yard, or 30-yard or 20-yard sprint to the ball carrier.

"Unbelievable speed, unbelievable talent. That's the kind of players we're looking for."

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.