Three things to watch as UNC football takes on Florida A&M in today’s Week 0 opener
The first three seasons of coach Mack Brown’s second stint at North Carolina were defined by an explosive offense. The fourth season though, which begins Saturday at 8 p.m. against Florida A&M, the Tar Heels are bound to make defense their identity.
And it all starts with their defensive line.
Carolina has been building upfront and now has a combination of experience, talent and depth that could potentially make it a special unit.
“I’ll be able to tell you more after game one, but I feel like we have a chance to be really good upfront,” said Gene Chizik, UNC’s assistant head coach for defense. “I feel like I’ve told them since I’ve got here, and I tell them daily, that if you guys (on the defensive line) don’t play at a high level, we don’t have a defense.”
The Heels have eight players — two deep at each position — that they consider worthy of starting. And that’s not to mention the special packages and situational players they will rotate in addition to those players.
Chizik said they have some “huge frames” upfront with players like defensive tackle Myles Murphy checking in at 305 pounds and nose tackle Ray Vohasek at 310 pounds that should help them be against the run. Chizik is most hopeful Carolina can finally generate a pass rush with its down four linemen — without having to blitz or resort to some exotic scheme to get sacks.
“Our expectation is that they play really, really well,” Chizik said. “Have we arrived? No. But I think they’ve come a long way in the eight months as far as how we want them to play and in the demeanor that they need to approach every game with, so we’re getting there.”
FAMU vulnerable upfront?
As Friday’s ‘Will they or won’t they play’ drama unfolded with regards to FAMU’s dwindling eligibility numbers, head coach Willie Simmons at one point reportedly said they only had seven offensive linemen who could travel. He eventually told ESPN that eight made the trip. That number, mind you, doesn’t necessarily represent the Rattlers eight best offensive linemen. It just gives them enough to feel like they can play a game and keep their normal substitution patterns to guard against fatigue. Keep an eye out for if Carolina’s defensive line takes advantage of FAMU not being at full strength.
Deeper than advertised
UNC receiver Josh Downs is the only returning starter at receiver who will start against the Rattlers. As Carolina ushers in a new group of largely untested playmakers, Downs said he’s confident one thing will stay the same.
“We’re still going to be really explosive,” he said.
Receiver is arguably the group on offense with the least amount of depth, especially after senior Antoine Green injured his shoulder in camp and will miss at least another three weeks. Offensive coordinator Phil Longo believes the group of newcomers including Will Blackwell, Kobe Paysour and Andre Greene will make up for what they lack in numbers.
“There’s a lot more depth at receiver and a lot of them are a lot closer to being contributors for us right now,” Longo said. “We probably have a little more depth there than you think, even though the numbers on paper don’t necessarily show that.”
How to watch
The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network. It is also available on the ESPN App with an ESPN+ subscription, and through various subscription apps that carry the ACC Network, such as Hulu and YouTube TV. The link to watch it is here.
Pregame reading
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