Tar Heels QB choice could come out of the blue

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

N.C. State entered the season with a five-player logjam at quarterback. North Carolina returned a passer coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history.

But sophomore T.J. Yates' fractured ankle and subsequent healing have fans of North Carolina, not N.C. State, wondering who will be their quarterback in today's rivalry game at Kenan Stadium. Coach Butch Davis wasn't naming a starter until today, saying he saw no advantage in announcing it earlier. Check ACC Now at for updates today.

Meanwhile, staff writer Ken Tysiac offers a look at the pros and cons of both:

SIGNATURE MOMENT

SEXTON: 14-yard, game-winning TD pass to Brooks Foster with 46 seconds remaining at Miami.

YATES: 3 TD passes in 44-12 rout of Rutgers.

STRENGTHS

SEXTON: More athletic of the two and particularly effective rolling to his right, as he did on the winning touchdown at Miami and a 59-yard scoring pass to Cooter Arnold at Maryland.

YATES: Nobody in the ACC throws a better deep ball, which made for an outstanding combination with now-injured Brandon Tate. Also good at avoiding pressure in the pocket and keeping focused on receivers.

ARGUMENT FOR ...

SEXTON: Is 4-2 as a starter and also rallied UNC to a win at Miami. A change now could disrupt the chemistry of a team that's played well this season.

YATES: There is a reason he set school records with 2,655 passing yards and 14 touchdown passes last season showing outstanding talent. Plus, Sexton struggled (10-for-24, 166 yards) last week in a loss at Maryland.