The North Carolina Tar Heels still have everything to play for as they take on top-ranked Clemson in the ACC Championship Game this weekend, but that also means they have a wide range of potential opponents this postseason. Here are the three teams UNC is most likely to play this bowl season:
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Heels still have an outside shot at making the College Football Playoff in they beat Clemson, and if they get in, they'll be the four-seed taking on Alabama, who would likely take over as a one-seed. Obviously this is the toughest potential matchup, but UNC fans are salivating at the chance to play for a national title.
Penn State Nittany Lions
If something wacky happens this weekend and pushes Florida State out of a New Year's Six bowl, UNC would end up playing in the Music City Bowl with a likely matchup against a decent Penn State team. This would obviously be very disappointing for the Tar Heels, but having the chance to knock off a prestigious program like Penn State could do wonders in boosting UNC's football profile nationwide.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
If North Carolina doesn't beat Clemson, they'll almost certainly end up in the Russell Athletic Bowl playing against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys were also in the playoff picture a few weeks ago before losing to Baylor and Oklahoma, and while they aren't necessarily a traditional power, this matchup between two very, very good teams would be one of the must-see contests of the bowl season.