Keeping It Heel
Fansided

ACC Football: Coastal Division Power Rankings week 1

By Brandon Griffin

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: Jordon Brown
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 02: Jordon Brown /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Larry Fedora of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches during their game against the California Golden Bears at Kenan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Cal won 35-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Larry Fedora of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches during their game against the California Golden Bears at Kenan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Cal won 35-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

What was I Thinkin’

What was I thinking could apply to several Tar Heels.  First and foremost it could apply to defensive tackle Jalen Dalton.

Dalton had what most consider to be the biggest game-changer against Cal. Unfortunately for Dalton, it was for Cal.

With 2:41 remaining in the first half, Cal was facing a 3rd and 12. The defense forced the quarterback to throw it away, fourth down and punt. It would’ve been Tar Heel ball if not for a targeting penalty against Dalton. ‘

Dalton was ejected and on the next play, Cal scored on a 67-yard pass. A 10-point lead became a three point lead and UNC never recovered.

What was I thinking could also be applied to Patrick Rene. Rene blew his assignment on a running back which led to a wide open  47-yard score.

It could also be attributed to Brandon Harris on either of his two interceptions or even Chazz Surratt on missing a wide open Jordon Brown for a first down on fourth and three late in the fourth.

However, it also applies to Coach Fedora. With the loss to Cal, UNC’s head coach has now lost three straight season openers and is 2-4 overall. The loss also drops him to 2-9 verse nonconference Power five opponents and 6-11 when he has 10 days or more to prepare.

Of course, it wasn’t all bad. Despite allowing 449 yards and five touchdowns, the defense looked better. They had two interceptions (that’s twice as many as they had all last season) and made open field tackles for the first time in about five seasons.

Additionally, the future looks brighter with the play of Surratt and running back Michael Carter.

Things do not get any easier for UNC though as their next opponent is a ranked Louisville squad. And since Coach Fedora still hasn’t decided on a quarterback, it leaves a lot of fans wondering what is he thinking?

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