Virginia WR Dominique Terrell had nine catches for 127 yards against Miami last week. (US Presswire)

North Carolina (6-4, 3-3 ACC) at Virginia (4-6, 2-4 ACC)

Kickoff: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Spread: North Carolina by 3.5.

Watchability: Virginia has resuscitated its season in the last two weeks. The Cavaliers had lost six in a row but won at NC State 33-6 and beat Miami in dramatic fashion 41-40, last week. Virginia needs to win out to become bowl eligible and will have its work cut out against North Carolina in the South’s Oldest Rivalry. The Tar Heels have lost two out of three, including a 68-50 loss to Georgia Tech last week, but North Carolina has won the last two meetings in a series that has been played every year since 1919.

Shining Stars: North Carolina -- RB Giovani Bernard leads the league with 126 rushing yards per game and 208.8 all-purpose yards per game. He has been one of the best running backs in the country this year and is the frontrunner for ACC player of the year. Virginia -- QB Michael Rocco has split time with Phillip Sims but has proven he should be at the helm with the game on the line. Rocco threw for 300 yards and four touchdowns -- including the game-winner to TE Jake McGee with six second left -- against Miami.

Who could steal the show: North Carolina -- Freshman WR Quinshad Davis had seven catches for 104 yards and a touchdown last week against Georgia Tech. He has 13 receptions combined in the last two games. Virginia -- Sophomore WR Dominique Terrell set career-highs with nine receptions and 127 receiving yards against Miami. Terrell was a highly regarded recruit and seems to be coming into his own.

You going? Ranking the road trip: This is the first Thursday night game in Charlottesville since the Cavaliers hosted North Carolina back in 2006. The Virginia student section was lacking against Miami, but the turnout should be better for a nationally televised night game to start the weekend.

Magic number for North Carolina: 3. North Carolina has three special-teams touchdowns in the return game this season -- two punts and one kickoff. The Tar Heels could take advantage of Virginia’s poor kick coverage. The Cavaliers have given up two touchdowns on kickoff returns, including one last week against Miami.

Magic number for Virginia: 1. The Cavaliers have 22 turnovers this season but have turned the ball over just once in each of the last two games. Virginia is doing a better job of not beating itself, and it is showing up in the win column.

The game comes down to: North Carolina’s defense. The Tar Heels gave up 68 points last week, despite having an extra week to prepare for Georgia Tech’s option offense. Now, North Carolina has a short week to get ready for Virginia’s two-quarterback system.

Prediction: Virginia 27, North Carolina 24

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