This preview is actually a compilation of several different previews. We’ll start with the perspective of the same UNC fan that we heard from earlier in the week.
UNC SCOUTING REPORT
Offense – Getting worse each week.
UNC has a below average run game and can’t seem to find a running back. About four different ones have been used this year, but it seems now that Johnny White and Anthony Elzy are getting most of the carries. White had a solid game against Maryland, and Elzy played well against Va. Tech and Miami, but neither does anything particularly well and should not scare the Pack. UNC usually runs the ball well for a drive or two a game, but can’t seem to sustain it for four quarters.
The passing game is average. TJ Yates has done fairly well at QB, though he has leveled off after a hot start. He throws a good deep ball, but also has a penchant for poor decisions and interceptions. Hakeem Nicks is a great receiver and is the number one target – he’s both a possession receiver and deep threat. Brandon Tate (WR/KR) is UNC’s best all-around athlete and the Heels will try to get him the ball via the pass and the run.
Defense – Getting better each week.
UNC plays a very conventional 4-3. The Heels don’t do much blitzing and play fairly straight up. The front four is the strength with a number of talented players, including seniors Hilee Taylor and Kentwan Balmer and freshman Marvin Austin. The run defense is solid, and the Heels held Maryland (a usually good rushing team) to 93 yards Saturday.
Durrell Mapp, a senior middle linebacker, is one of the ACCs leading tacklers, but the other linebackers have yet to standout. The secondary has two very good safeties in Tremaine Goddard and Deunta Williams, but the corners are young and somewhat unproven.
Special teams – The Heels are in great shape at kicker (Connor Barth has only missed 1 FG in his last 21 games), punter, and kick returns. The weakness has been kickoff return coverage, as the Heels have given up a number of backbreaking returns this year.
Bottom line – First team to 20 wins. I say neither team gets there but that State pulls out a 17-13 win.
CFN OUTLOOK
Hit this link and scroll down to the State-UNC preview.
What Will Happen: Now we see why NC State wanted Tom O’Brien. He has it going and continues the post-season march with a big victory thanks to timely offense and just enough D to get by.
CFN Prediction: NC State 28 … North Carolina 23… Line: NC State -3.5
Note that even though CFN lists the game as being on ESPNU, the ACC website has it on Raycom/Lincoln Financial.
BY THE NUMBERS
Proving that great minds think alike, Steven at Section Six compiled some total offensive and defensive numbers against the three common opponents (ECU, UVa, and Miami). Luckily for State fans, those three games represent the only ones worth remembering so far this year.
The bottom line is that there is very little difference in the numbers between State and UNC. From these three games, it looks like UNC’s offense is a little better and State’s defense is a little better.
TURNOVERS
Draw your own conclusions from the games against common opponents:
|
|
Fumbles |
INT |
Total |
|
|
Lost |
|
TO’s |
|
NCSU |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
ECU |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
|||
|
UNC |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
ECU |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|||
|
NCSU |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
UVA |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|||
|
UNC |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
UVA |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|||
|
NCSU |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|||
|
UNC |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WINNER |
|
|
|
MY TAKE
Though both teams have shown improvement over last year, neither team can afford to make more mistakes than their opponents and still win. I’m betting that the team that makes either the most mistakes or possibly the last mistake will lose.
