UNC Football in 2016
In 1989, Universal Pictures released the movie Back to the Future Part II. It starred Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd and was the second movie of what is one of the greatest trilogies ever made. Part of that movie takes place in the year 2015. In that universe by 2015 there were flying cars, hover boards, and self lacing shoes. Holographic movies were a huge fad and newspapers printed events moments after they happened.
Of course 2015 didn’t turn out that way, though Nike has a self lacing shoe. Cars still need roads, sorry Doc Brown, and, despite some valiant attempts, boards need wheels or waves to move. Nonetheless, the idea of such things gave us hope. Newspapers may not print immediately but the internet gets news out just as fast. Holograms went the way of the Dodo but the idea opened up 3-D and IMAX.
Hope can do wonders. It is with that idea that I wanted to look at the future of UNC Football. North Carolina this season had one of the best seasons ever in the history of the school. The team set records for winning streaks and offensive brilliance. However, the season didn’t go as well as it could’ve due to two losses bookended in Charlotte. But that’s where hope comes in. Fans can learn a lot about a team from a good season, so what does Carolina look like for next season.
The Schedule
Before getting to 2016, the Heels do have one game left to play this season. As much as I would’ve enjoyed winning the ACC title, all a win by the Heels would’ve done is cost the ACC a chance at the playoffs. If Clemson wins the national championship that makes two champs in three seasons which only raises the opinion of the ACC. That is good for all ACC teams, including North Carolina.
Though the Russell Athletic Bowl is a letdown considering a New Year’s Access Bowl was within reach, it is the top non access bowl associated with the ACC. It also represents an opportunity for the first 12 win season in North Carolina Football history. I also expect the Heels to be pumped and ready to play in this game. Any time anyone compares this team to last year, I remind them, this isn’t last year’s team, not even close. I don’t see the ACC Championship as a letdown, but instead motivation to crush Baylor.
With that said, Baylor will be only the second CFP ranked team UNC faces this year. Currently the Heels are 0-1 against that poll, which is why they are in Orlando and not say Atlanta in the Peach Bowl. Of course that has a lot to do with Carolina’s schedule, which had two FCS teams on it. As much as I feel there are FCS teams better than current FBS teams, the committee doesn’t agree. Unfortunately for the Heels things don’t look much better next year either.
Once again UNC will have two FCS teams on their schedule and it is hard to believe there is an argument either are good. The Citadel, despite beating South Carolina this season, and James Madison will not bring anything to the table. In fact, they are more of high risk low reward as a loss would be more damaging than a win even if the teams went undefeated. This problem can be fixed, this season even, so Bubba Cunningham should be spending every day on the phone until he can convince some FBS school to play the Heels instead.
Despite that, the Heels do have another strong schedule that includes Illinois and Georgia both on the road. Wins in both of those games don’t necessarily mean success for the Heels, but they would help alleviate the FCS schools. Carolina’s conference schedule also gets a boost from trading a home game against Wake in 2015 for a road game against FSU in 2016. Even with two FCS opponents, an undefeated or even a one loss UNC team would have a much better resume than the team that is currently 10th overall.
The Coaches
Obviously one of the things that makes a team good is its coaches. I think it is no coincidence that every team in the top 4 has a head coach that has been with that school for at least seven seasons. That kind of continuity helps in recruiting as well as getting the kind of players needed to run the system that is in place. With the latest deal, UNC and Larry Fedora look to have one of those relationships brewing. If Fedora can build off the success of this past season not just on the field but in recruiting as well, it will go a long way toward making Carolina a staying powerhouse.
Stability at coordinator helps too, but Clemson and Michigan State are in the playoff after losing coordinators this past offseason. That could be the silver lining to the news Carolina lost its OC to North Texas. At least so far Chizik is staying and with Fedora’s background the OC is probably the guy UNC could afford to lose (though if Chizik does leave the Heels need to call Ruffin McNeill quick). Who Fedora gets to replace Littrell will go a long way to how the season goes for UNC.
The Roster
Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) carries the ball during the second quarter in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
In the end, a coach is only as good as his players, and there is no doubt UNC had a stacked team this year, particularly on offense. Despite losing fifth year senior QB Marquise Williams and a few defensive leaders, the 2016 Heels looked to be just as stacked.
Barring no early entries, and there really shouldn’t be, UNC is looking to lose only nine strong contributors, while bringing back the core of their team. That core includes four out of five offensive linemen, three of their top four receivers, their entire starting backfield, most of their defensive front four and backs, as well as both kicker and punter.
Carolina’s biggest question marks next season, should be LG, LB, and QB, and honestly I think LG is really the only major one. Andre Smith should fill in nicely for Jeff Schoettmer and if the Heels can get Keion Joyner, they will be covered in the LB category. Mitch Trubisky should easily be able to step up into the QB position for Marquise Williams. Last season Mitch went 40 of 47 for 555 yds 6 TDs and no interceptions. I realize he played a lot of mop up duty in blowouts but he also went 2 for 2 and a touchdown against State and Clemson on Carolina’s opening drives. Toss in a defensive coordinator who knows how to close on recruits along with a Heisman worthy RB, and the Heels have something special brewing for 2016.
Whether any of this works out is another story. Auburn and Georgia Tech were considered top teams last season. Iowa and UNC weren’t even ranked. It is hard to know what will happen in the future, but at least 2015 gave Carolina hope that the future is brighter than what might originally have been thought.