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5 Keys To Beating Virginia Tech

Pass protection against the Hokies is one of our 5 Keys for Saturday, so what are the other four?
Pass protection against the Hokies is one of our 5 Keys for Saturday, so what are the other four? (ACC Media)

North Carolina hosts perhaps its biggest nemesis in recent years with Virginia Tech visiting Kenan Stadium on Saturday for a noon kickoff.

The No. 19 Hokies come in at 2-0 with an impressive win over NC State and a tough road victory last weekend at Duke. Carolina, which is up to No. 8 in the national rankings, is also 2-0 with wins over Syracuse and at Boston College.

UNC’s two wins were three weeks apart, so this Saturday will be the first time Carolina has played on consecutive weekends in 45 weeks, dating back to the end of November last year when the Tar Heels defeated Mercer before winning at NC State.

Here are 5 Keys for UNC to defeat Virginia Tech:


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Slow The Train

Virginia Tech’s ground attack has somewhat been like a train going downhill, there’s not much anyone can do to stop it. Or maybe there is, and that’s what the Tar Heels will try to find out Saturday.

To slow or stop the Hokies, the Heels must handle their load up front, first, then the linebackers and hybrid guys must do their part, and then the safeties must make their run fits. Jay Bateman was very clear about that earlier in the week, and it also includes the corners. Everyone must be involved with facing a multi-pronged run game.

The Heels don’t have to shut down Tech, but force the Hokies to pass more than they would like, and given that they’ve run the ball 91 times compared to 42 pass attempts, they certainly have a preference for running the ball.


Passing Game Patience

It was preached all week by Mack Brown, Phil Longo and Sam Howell, so an important part of Carolina’s attack will be the patience Howell and his teammates show in their passing game. He hasn’t yet completed a pass 20 or more yards downfield, something he did 38 times last season and at least once in each game, including multiple times in each of UNC’s last seven contests. It will happen but he and everyone else need to be patient. Hit the short stuff, move the ball around taking what the Hokies give them and eventually strike when it’s there.



Better Pass Protection

The Tar Heels allowed four sacks and 17 QB hurries at BC last Saturday, and now they will face a defensive front that played eight players at Duke and in two games has 13 sacks for a loss of 93 yards and has been credited with 29 QB hurries in its two games.

The offensive line must be more consistent in its protection but the other elements of pass pro must be in order, too. One of the sacks versus BC was charged to a running back who missed his assignment and another was charged to Sam Howell for holding onto the ball too long.

Carolina must be efficient in this area to win the game.



Get Some TO's

The Tar Heels are at a 4-1 disadvantage in turnover margin so far this season, though Trey Morrison’s pick-two at BC did not count as a turnover because conversions are not considered plays. Still, the Heels had a pick late in the Syracuse game after it was decided and otherwise have not forced any turnovers.

Mack Brown was disappointed they didn’t get a fumble the defense forced at BC and overall has been open about the need to create more turnovers. Championship-driven teams regularly win the turnover battle, so that’s among UNC’s long list of mandates this weekend.



Hidden Yardage

Any coach will tell you that hidden yardage can sometimes determine a game. It comes in a variety of forms, from special teams return yards gained and allowed and many coaches also include penalty yardage assessed for and against. Former legendary NFL coach Bill Parcells long said a difference in 100 hidden yards in a game was worth seven points. So, losing that battle can be detrimental.

In Carolina’s case, the Heels have had no discernable advantage or disadvantage in the kicking game, though Jonathan Kim has nothing but touchbacks on his kickoffs, so that’s a plus. Even the penalties have been nearly even: 19 for 187 yards for UNC and 20 for 170 yards for Syracuse and BC combined.

This is an important area to look at because Virginia Tech is plus-81 yards in penalties through two games and is averaging 38 yards per kickoff return as opposed to 16 yards for its opponents.

UNC must be cleaner with its penalties and not allowing anything catastrophic on special teams.


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