UNC football vs FSU gameday guide: How to watch, betting line, matchups and more
North Carolina coach Mack Brown said he’s tried just about everything to create more turnovers on defense. But heading into the fifth-ranked Tar Heels’ fourth game of the season Saturday at Florida State, they still just have one on record. (Trey Morrison’s interception on a two-point conversion is not counted as an actual play.)
“There’s a year that you look up, you’ve forced 25 turnovers, and you coach the same way you have when you’ve got two,” Brown said during a video call with media. “I mean, it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
UNC is certainly an anomaly among top-ranked teams, as the rest of the top five averages at least one per game: Clemson (6), Alabama (4), Georgia (7), Notre Dame (3). Despite FSU’s struggles, even it has six turnovers.
Brown said they talk about it to the extent that players roll their eyes whenever he says, “tip and strip.” They celebrate it in practice, reward it in the form of the “turnover belt.” Now they just have to go out in a game and atually collect them.
“I don’t think we can do anything else,” Brown said. “We’ve just got to start getting turnovers. And when you do, it’s that old adage in coaching, is when you get one, you get a bunch. So we need a bunch.”
How to watch TV for UNC football vs FSU
Saturday’s game will be broadcast on ABC (WTVD-11) at 7:30 p.m.
College football betting odds: Tar Heels are favored
As of Friday, North Carolina was a 13.5-point favorite, according to espn.com. The over/under was 64.
Game notes: UNC’s defense constantly changing
* Coach Mack Brown is 0-4 with a ranked UNC team going against the Seminoles. All four of his losses came during his first coaching stint with the Tar Heels in the 1990s.
* QB Connects Part I: North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell initially committed to FSU in high school under former coach Willie Taggart. Howell told reporters this week: “I still have a lot of respect for those guys down there and I still pull for those guys every week unless they’re playing us.”
* Carolina’s fourth game will likely see a fourth different starting lineup on defense. The reasons for the shuffling vary from going with an added linebacker instead of a nickel back to match the opponent’s offense; to injuries; to players returning.
* The Tar Heels are tied with TCU for the sixth in all of the Football Bowl Subdivision averaging 9.67 penalties per game. Brown said he still chooses to address individual players to correct them, rather than shame them with harsh physical discipline: “This team had been so beaten down with losses and negatives we did not think that it was a good thing to just beat them down.”
* QB Connects Part II: UNC wide receiver coach Lonnie Galloway was the lead recruiter at Louisville who got FSU starting quarterback Jordan Travis to initially sign with the Cardinals.
* The last time the Tar Heels were ranked No. 5 the 1997 season, they lost to No. 3 Florida State 20-3 in Tallahassee. The biggest difference between his squad now and back then? Brown said the ‘98 team had 22 NFL draft choices. The Heels don’t have that level of talent yet, but Brown says keep watching, “I think this team over the next two or three years will have 22 draft choices.”
* Florida State’s defense allows opponents to convert third downs nearly half of their attempts (49 percent) and ranks 61st out of 76 teams currently playing in FBS.
FSU vs UNC: Inside the numbers
Records: No. 5 UNC 3-0 (3-0 ACC); Florida State 1-3 (0-3 ACC
UNC offense: 37.7 ppg | 506.7 ypg | 261.7 passing ypg | 245 rushing ypg
Florida State defense (allowed): 33.5 ppg | 454 ypg | 259.8 passing ypg | 194.3 rushing ypg
Florida State offense: 22.5 ppg | 393.3 ypg | 224.3 passing ypg | 169 rushing ypg
UNC defense (allowed): 24.3 ppg | 350 ypg | 227.3 passing ypg | 122.7 rushing ypg
UNC run game vs. FSU run defense
Well, this section’s getting repetitive. Michael Carter (17 carries for 214 yards and two TDs) and Javonte Williams (20 for 169 and two TDs) starred again for UNC last week and made their case for the best running back duo in the nation. The UNC offensive line that cleared the way for those 383 combined yards got some love, too, with center Brian Anderson being named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
In two games against unranked opponents, FSU has defended the run decently. But in two games against ranked opponents — Miami and Notre Dame — the Seminoles have been gashed. The Fighting Irish ran 42 times for 353 yards and three touchdowns in their 42-26 win over FSU last week. Amari Gainer has been prolific at linebacker with a team-high 32 tackles.
UNC pass game vs. FSU pass defense
Outside of a few drops, UNC’s passing offense hit all the right notes against VT. Quarterback Sam Howell didn’t throw an interception for the first game this season, Dyami Brown caught long touchdowns of 37 and 43 yards and Dazz Newsome finally got involved with a team-high seven catches and 69 yards.
Corner Asante Samuel Jr. has been absolute ball hawk for FSU’s secondary, with three interceptions already this season after snagging just one as a sophomore. He’s the leader of a mid-tier pass defense that, interestingly, is coming off its best game. The Seminoles held Notre Dame to 201 passing yards, although game flow played a role in that number. Senior Marvin Wilson leads a talented defensive line.
FSU run game vs. UNC run defense
The Seminoles have used a running back by committee approach to good results. Lawrance Toafili (164 yards) has been the team’s most explosive back, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. La’Damian Webb and Jashuan Corbin (153) are in the mix, too. But quarterback Jordan Travis (a team-high 43 carries and 235 yards) is the engine that really makes this attack go.
UNC’s rushing defense was bound to fall off at some point, after its first two opponents mostly neglected the ground game. That happened in dramatic fashion against VT, which ran 48 times for 260 yards. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman pointed out that FSU likes to utilize the same motion and sweep plays VT used — so, North Carolina has some recent experience there. The Tar Heels’ run defense and pass rush both felt the absence of lineman Ray Vohasek, who’s questionable for Saturday.
FSU pass game vs. UNC pass defense
Travis took over FSU’s quarterback job two weekends ago, after neither James Blackman nor Tate Rodemaker could find any traction. He’s given the Seminole offense a much-needed boost and performed admirably against Notre Dame: 13 of 24 for 204 yards, a touchdown and a pick, plus 19 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown as FSU hung around on the road.
Terry also had his best game of the season in Travis’ first full start. But with Terry out of the picture this weekend, UNC can focus in Travis himself, who may end up trying to beat the Tar Heels with his legs. Pass rush will be a crucial asset here — UNC had seven QB hurries but just one sack last week in its worst defensive showing of the season, and that’s no coincidence.
UNC special teams vs. FSU special teams
North Carolina’s special teams have leveled out a bit after a chaotic first week. Kicker Grayson Atkins (8 of 8 on extra points, no field goal attempts) and punter Ben Kiernan (three punts, including one for 50 yards) didn’t have much to worry about in last week’s shootout win. Carter and Newsome remain legitimate threats on kickoff and punt returns, respectively.
FSU’s Wilson, who is considered one of the top defensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft, can be a game-changing special teams threat, too — he blocked two field goals in the Seminoles’ season opener against Georgia Tech. Add in a teammate’s blocked extra point, and FSU is tied for first in the country with three blocked kicks. UNC had three kicks blocked last season, but the team hasn’t allowed one in 2020.
UNC intangibles vs. Florida State intangibles
A lack of turnovers (one in three games) and an excess of penalties (29 for an average of 91.3 yards per game) remain nagging concerns for UNC. FSU has given the ball away eight times (six interceptions, two lost fumbles), which is tied for sixth most in the country, so there’s an opportunity there.
Saturday’s game is also heavy on fun storylines. Brown, a 1974 FSU alumnus, is 0-9 against his alma mater. Howell is a former FSU commit (albeit under a different coaching staff). And the last time UNC played as the No. 5 team in the country, it lost at home to Florida State in 1997. In terms of pure talent and pro potential, Brown said FSU is UNC’s toughest opponent so far. The question is: can the Seminoles put together a complete game and challenge the Tar Heels for coach Mike Norvell’s first signature win?
UNC football schedule / results
Week 1 — UNC 31, Syracuse 6
Week 2 — UNC 26, Boston College 22
Week 3 — UNC 56, Virginia Tech 45
Oct. 17 — UNC at Florida State, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — N.C. State at UNC, TBD
Oct. 31 — UNC at Virginia, TBD
Nov. 7 — UNC at Duke, TBD
Nov. 14 — Wake Forest at UNC, TBD
Nov. 27 — Notre Dame at UNC, TBD
Dec. 5 — UNC at Miami, TBD
Dec. 11 — Western Carolina at UNC, 7 p.m.
FSU football schedule / results
Week 1 — Georgia Tech 16, Florida State 13
Week 2 — Miami 52, Florida State 10
Week 3 — Florida State 41, Jacksonville State 24
Week 4 — Notre Dame 42, Florida State 26
Oct. 17 — UNC at Florida State, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Oct. 24 — Florida State at Louisville, Noon, ESPN3
Nov. 7 — Pittsburgh at Florida State, TBD
Nov. 14 — Florida State at N.C. State, TBD
Nov. 21 — Clemson at Florida State, TBD
Nov. 28 — Virginia at Florida State, TBD
Dec. 5 — Florida State at Duke, TBD
ACC Network / ACC football TV schedule
Pittsburgh at Miami, Noon, ACC Network
Clemson at Georgia Tech, Noon, ABC
Liberty at Syracuse, Noon, ESPN3
Louisville at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC
Duke at N.C. State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN3
Virginia at Wake Forest, 4 p.m., ACC Network
UNC at Florida State, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Boston College at Virginia Tech, 8 p.m., ACC Network
This story was originally published October 16, 2020 at 9:08 AM.