Better late than never. Seems like the common theme for the year of 2020.
After a slight delay, the football season returns to the Carolinas this weekend with the Panthers home opener and ACC games making up a majority of events on the docket. Most of them going forward without fans in attendance.
One of those games features the 18th-ranked UNC Tar Heels hosting Syracuse to open ACC play on Saturday. The decision to have no spectators at sporting events in Chapel Hill came after several COVID-19 outbreaks emerged on campus mid-august.
NC State announced the cancelation of their home opener after over 500 students tested positive for Coronavirus two weeks ago. Top-ranked Clemson will also open the season without a soul in the stands. Dabo Swinney's team hits the road to face Wake Forest and is the first opener outside of Memorial Stadium for the Tigers since 2016.
As for the NFL, the Carolina Panthers were one of 25 teams to announce no fans in attendance in the first couple weeks of the season. Owner David Tepper is hopeful to have fans back in October.
Here's a look at the football games for this weekend.
Saturday, Sept. 12
Syracuse vs. No. 18 North Carolina | Noon ET
Listen Live on WBT
TV: ACCN, Capacity at Kenan Memorial Stadium: None
Charlotte vs. Appalachian State | Noon ET
TV: ESPN2, Capacity at Kidd Brewer Stadium: TBA
Duke vs. Notre Dame | 2:30 PM
TV: NBC, Capacity at Notre Dame Stadium: 16,159 (20%)
No. 1 Clemson vs. Wake Forest | 7:30 PM
TV: ABC, Capacity at Truist Field: None
Virginia Tech vs. NC State | Postponed
Marshall vs. East Carolina | Postponed
Sunday, Sept. 13
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Carolina Panthers | 1 PM
Listen Live on WBT
TV: CBS, Capacity at Bank of America Stadium: None