UNC vs Georgia Tech: Keys to Victory
Sep 12, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Shakeel Rashad (42) knocks the ball loose from North Carolina A&T Aggies running back Justin Smith (22) during the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The North Carolina Tar Heels will kick of the ACC portion of their schedule when they head to the ATL to do battle with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. This will be UNC’s first road test of the season, so I’m eager to see how they will respond in a hostile environment. This should be one of the more interesting matchups in the ACC this weekend, and if Carolina has plans on winning here’s a few keys to them doing just that.
Make Georgia Tech beat you passing the ball
Georgia Tech’s triple option offense is one of the more difficult ones in the county to deal with, so in order to slow down the high-powered Yellow Jackets attack the Carolina D must force them to pass the ball. Now I know that’s easier said than done because Tech is good at what they do, but it’s a must that the Heels put them in situations where they have to throw the ball. I’m not saying that the Yellow Jackets can’t move the ball through the air but they would prefer to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible. Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas only completes 41.4 percent of his passes and he’s much more comfortable using his legs instead of his arm. If UNC can put the home team in obvious passing situations and keep them behind the chains, it will mean good things and could be the deciding factor in this contest.
The Defensive line
Through four games, the Carolina D has been much improved over last season. But when it comes to the defensive line, they haven’t had much of an impact in 2015. If the Heels are going to win this game on the road, the big boys up front must make their presence felt. Last week UNC’s D-line got pushed around at times by Delaware, so if they don’t bring their A game, the Georgia Tech O-line will have their way with the Tar Heels defensive front. Should that happen, Carolina chances of winning will greatly decrease.
On the other hand, if the Heels can get a push up front it will disrupt the Yellow Jackets attack and allow the linebackers to do what they do best — make plays. Either way the D-line play is key to the outcome of this game.
Shakeel Rashad
When it comes to playmaking linebackers UNC has a couple but none makes more plays than Shakeel Rashad. The senior has been Carolina’s top defender if you ask me and in this match up I’m expecting him to do some damage. The way the Yellow Jackets like to attack should put Shakeel and his fellow linebackers in a position to make things happen, and if the opportunity presents itself, Rashad could very well be the guy who makes a game saving or game changing play. His ability to tackle is a welcome asset anytime but even more when facing Georgia Tech. Like I said earlier, The Yellow Jackets loves to “ground and pound” so the tackling has to be on point. As a unit, the defense has to play well to get a W. The D won’t play well if Shakeel doesn’t play well, so keep your eyes on the Tar Heels top defender.
Quarterback Play
With the inconsistent play of Marquise Williams, Head Coach Larry Fedora has went back to using two quarterbacks so both need to play well to win this conference opener. Backup Mitch Trubisky has provided a spark to the offense over the last couple of games, and even though I’m not a fan of the multiple QB system – I recognize that Mitch is making things happen. Trubisky has come in and stabilized the offense while Marquise’s play has been disappointing. If both can put their best foot forward Saturday, that means trouble for the Yellow Jackets. If neither tries to do too much and just run the offense, UNC should put up plenty of points on a pretty average Tech defense. But, if one or both tries to do more than he is capable of , well, we know how that story will end. Who ever in under center needs to bring his game or the Tar Heels will lose because of it.