Bryn Renner had 363 yards passing against Louisville in a losing effort. (US Presswire)

East Carolina (2-1, 1-0 CUSA) at North Carolina (1-2, 0-1 ACC)

Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Spread: North Carolina by 17

Watchability: East Carolina is one of five in-state opponents on North Carolina’s schedule this season. The Tar Heels’ early season struggles and a lack of star power on ECU limits the interest level of anyone outside the state’s borders.

Shining stars: East Carolina: Wide receiver Justin Hardy has more catches (19) than any two teammates, and nearly three times as many yards (241) as anyone else on the team. North Carolina: RB Romar Morris was the ACC’s receiver of the week with 149 yards against Louisville. He also blocked a punt.

Who could steal the show: East Carolina: Linebacker Montese Overton was the Conference USA player of the week in his first career start. He had 10 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and a 16-yard fumble return for a touchdown. North Carolina: Defensive end Kareem Martin is averaging 2 TFLs per game, good for 10th in the nation.

You going? Ranking the road trip: The game marks the grand opening of the Kenan Amphitheatre, which will host tailgating and a pregame concert by country artist Chase Rice. Rice’s website describes him as a “Carolina reared, good-times tunesmith … dripping adrenaline from beneath his backwards ball cap.” You may know him from such hits as “Dirt Road Communion” and “Jack Daniels and Jesus.”

Magic number for East Carolina: 4. East Carolina gained more yards than North Carolina in last year’s game and had eight more first downs. The difference in the Pirates’ 35-20 loss was their four turnovers to the Tar Heels’ zero.  

Magic number for North Carolina: 3. Bryn Renner threw for 363 yards in last week’s loss to Louisville. Larry Fedora’s teams have won only three of the 12 games in which his quarterback threw for 300 yards.

The game comes down to: Focus. North Carolina took 30 minutes to show up for last week’s game at Louisville. They need to build on the momentum from their second-half rally.

Prediction: North Carolina 21, East Carolina 7

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.