Keeping It Heel
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UNC vs. FSU: Preview, prediction and game info

By Zack Pearson

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora reacts during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora reacts during the first quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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We are just hours away from kickoff between UNC and FSU in Tallahassee. Can the Tar Heels move to 2-0 in the ACC?

Rejoice UNC fans, it’s almost time for some more Tar Heel football.

On Saturday, the Tar Heels will take on the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee as they look to continue the path on repeating as ACC Coastal Division Champions. It wont be easy however.

The Seminoles enter the game as the No. 12 team in the country, sitting at 3-1. They rebounded after a disaster at Louisville by beating USF. Their other two wins came against Ole Miss, with remarkable comeback, and Charleston Southern.

Offensively, the Seminoles most dangerous threat comes from running back Dalvin Cook. He rushed for 200-plus yards in the win over USF, looking like his normal self. But Jacques Patrick is also someone to keep an eye out.

Quarterback Deondre Francois can beat you through the air as well as on the ground. If he has enough time back there, it could be a long day for the Tar Heels defense.

Matchup to watch: UNC’s run defense vs. FSU’s offense

It could be a long day for the Tar Heels defense on Saturday. After giving up 200-plus yards to Nick Chubb in the opener, the Tar Heels will have their hands full again on Saturday.

Cook is just as good as Chubb and can really do some damage to the Tar Heels. Their best bet is to try and contain or slow down Cook rather just trying to shut him down.

UNC should force other members of the FSU offense to beat them.

Keep an eye on this battle early and often. If the Tar Heels can’t stop Cook early in the game, FSU will continue to try and exploit the UNC defense.

Hopefully UNC’s run defense comes out fired up and can slow down Cook, maybe even force a couple of turnovers in the process.

Florida State must stop…..

The Tar Heels offense is coming into the game firing on all cylinders. Backed by Mitch Trubisky’s excellent play, the Tar Heels can put up some points and in a hurry.

Florida State’s defense hasn’t been great this season and is very vulnerable.

Watch what Louisville did to the Seminoles two weeks ago. They hit them with a steady rushing attack and then through the air. The Tar Heels have two good running backs in Elijah Hood and T.J. Logan. Look for UNC to run early and often, trying to open up things offensively with the playaction.

Then there’s the passing attack.

Trubkisky has been great this season, completing 75 percent of his attempts through the air. The receiving core of Bug Howard, Mack Hollins and Ryan Switzer have all delivered.

If Florida State can’t stop the Tar Heels through the air or on the ground, it could get ugly fast.

What you need to know

WHAT? UNC at Pittsburgh
WHEN? Saturday, October 1, at 3:30 p.m. ET
WHERE? Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL.
TV? ESPN. Mark Jones (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst) and Quint Kessenich (sideline).
RADIO? Tar Heel Sports Network. Jones Angell (play-by-play), William Henderson (analyst) and Lee Pace (sideline)
WEATHER? Sunny with a high of 86. 0 percent chance of rain.
ALL-TIME SERIES? FSU leads 15-2-1
LAST MEETING? UNC def. Florida State 37-35.
BETTING LINE?  Florida State – 10.5
PREDICTION? UNC wins 31-30.

Keeping It Heel Coverage

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