UNC vs Virginia: Keys to Victory
Fresh off of getting their first conference victory, the North Carolina Tar Heels will try to make it two in a row when they head to Charlottesville to do battle with the Virginia Cavaliers. Carolina is finally starting to play some good football and I believe they have a great chance to steal this game. However, like most teams the Cavaliers are much better at home so the Heels will have come up with one of their better performances of the season to come home with a W. This should be one compelling game and here are the keys to victory for UNC.
The offense continuing to play well
Over the last two games the Tar Heels have scored 43 and 48 points respectively. If they’re able to put up 35 plus points for a third straight week, it’s likely that UNC will get it’s first road win of the season. Don’t get me wrong Virginia is a solid team but they don’t possess the most powerful offense. In their last couple of games the Cavaliers offense has scored a total of 37 points. If Carolina comes out and scores touchdowns (especially early) it will put a ton of pressure on the UVA offense and probably force them to be more aggressive than they would like to be, which could result in a couple of key mistakes. I don’t think Virginia wants to get into a track meet, so it’s huge that Carolina turns this game into just that.
Stop the run
Virginia wants to play a slower paced game than Carolina and the number one way they’ll try to accomplish that is establishing the run. UVA uses a stable of backs lead by senior Kevin Parks and the Cavaliers will be looking to uses him and running mates early and often in order to shorten the game and wear down the Tar Heels defense. The Carolina D must stop the run on early downs so Virginia will have to throw the ball more which is not a strong suit of theirs. Secondly, avoiding getting beat up on the ground will keep this small defense fresh for four quarters and that will only mean good things for the visitors.
Force UVA to win the game by passing
The Virginia offense isn’t at it’s best when they must pass the ball so the Tar Heels D must put them in a position where they have to throw. The Carolina pass defense is nothing to make any noise about but I like them in this matchup versus the UVA passing offense. The Cavaliers sophomore signal caller Matt Johns hasn’t been all that good this season. Johns has only thrown eight touchdown, he completes just 55.8 percent of his passes and he’s tossed five interceptions. That’s why its imperative that Heels make the Cavaliers passing game beat them because I don’t think the home team can win that way.
Ryan Switzer and Mack Hollins
Other than quarterback Marquise Williams, this dynamic duo may be the most responsible for UNC’s offensive turnaround. Mack Hollins has been Carolina’s top receiver all season and expect him to be a major part of the game plan come Saturday afternoon. Mack leads the team in yards per catch (18.1) and touchdowns( five) and every time he touches the ball he has a chance to take it to the house. Ryan Switzer has had his ups and downs this season but if last weeks game is any indication, Ryan may be ready to take off. Switzer had 9 receptions for 136 yards and two scores versus Georgia Tech and I think that’s just the beginning. Virginia will be hard pressed to stop both of them, so one or the other should have a monster game. If Carolina makes it a point on emphasize to get these guys the ball, I’m not sure if Virginia has the horse’s to contain these two.