UNC Football vs ODU: Preview, broadcast information and predication

UNC heads to Old Dominion looking to get their first win of the 2017 season.

The Tar Heels haven’t started 0-2 since 2010 and now travel to an Old Dominion team that hasn’t lost in their last eight games.

A change of scenery may be all that the Tar Heels need after falling in both of their first two home games of the year.

The last time Carolina played Old Dominion, 11 touchdowns were scored by the Tar Heels, failing to outscore the Tar Heels’ basketball team, who played on the same day, by only three points.

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One similarity between that Tar Heels team and this year’s team is that most of their offense was young and inexperienced, as is this roster. All 11 touchdowns were scored by first year players or sophomores, something that could very well happen again this Saturday.

The quarterback situation for the Tar Heels is still a question mark due to Chazz Surratt’s injury that caused him to miss the entire second half against Louisville.

Old Dominion (2-0) plays host to the Tar Heels, riding an eight game winning streak dating back to last season.

After two subpar performances against Albany and UMass, the Monarchs will have their hands full with a much more talented team in the Tar Heels. Both victories were led by the defense as the inexperienced offense struggled to gain any rhythm.

The Monarchs, who are already extremely thin on the offensive side of the ball, may be without starting running back Ray Lawry, who missed last Saturday’s game. The 5-foot-10 back is currently the seventh active rusher in the FBS with 3,338 yards.

ODU mimics the Tar Heels’ offense at times, using two different quarterbacks. They may also be without their two top receivers when Saturday comes.

One fun note from their last matchup was that once the game was out of hand, Kanler Coker came in for the Tar Heels at the quarterback position. The same Kanler Coker who now has a National Championship ring with the men’s basketball team.

UNC key to the game

The main concern for the Tar Heels heading into Saturday’s game is offensive line play.

Carolina, who has lost three offensive lineman to injury through the first two games, will be going up against a great defensive line that has totaled 15 sacks through the first two games.

The Monarchs have multiple different defensive lineman who they rotate in every couple of plays, keeping them fresh throughout the game.

The Tar Heels, who have struggled keeping their quarterbacks upright in the pocket, did manage to do a good job against Louisville, allowing Brandon Harris and Chazz Surratt to throw for 384 yards, completing 78 percent of their passes against a tough pass rush for the Cardinals.

Three defensive lineman for the Monarchs have 2.5 sacks or more, creating a major concern for the Tar Heels offensive line that may have to go one-on-one most of the afternoon.

ODU key to the game

Their is no question that the Tar Heels rush defense has been suspect throughout the first two games of the year, and that is exactly what the Monarchs will attack.

If Lawry, who was named to the 2017 Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award Watch Lists, doesn’t suit up, they will turn to junior running back Jeremy Cox. Cox, who had 27 carries for 95 yards last weekend, had 732 yards and 13 touchdowns last year.

After the Tar Heels gave up 312 yards on the ground last week, ODU will look to attack the front seven of the Tar Heels all afternoon.

Another aspect of the run game that the Monarchs may look to, especially with the health of their top two wide-outs in question, is using dual-threat quarterback Jordan Hoy. Though he’s been used sparingly, he has only two more pass attempts than rushing (13-11).

One question we’d like to see answered

After last week, it looks like the Tar Heels may have two capable quarterbacks. Harris’ first game jitters may have been just that, so the next question is whether or not the defense finally step up.

We ask it every year, but when will the defense live up to the talent they have on that side of the ball?

If ODU is in fact without Ray Lawry, and their top two wide-outs going into Saturday, the defense needs to put their feet down and dominate the game.

CHAPEL HILL, NC – SEPTEMBER 09: Cayson Collins /

With both quarterbacks for ODU struggling to pass the ball, the secondary should be fired up to take advantage of that.

For the defensive line, the likes of Jalen Dalton, Dajaun Drennon, Tommy Fox and Malik Carney need to step up, stop getting manhandled up front, and get pressure on the quarterback.

With only three sacks in two games, they are putting a lot of pressure on the secondary by allowing the opposing quarterbacks to stand in the pocket with all of the time in the world to throw.

The Tar Heels are giving up 587 yards a game so far this season, lets see if that trend changes on Saturday.

What you need to know

WHAT? UNC 0-2 (O-1 ACC) @ ODU 2-0 (0-0 ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, September 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET
WHERE? Foreman Field in Norfolk, Virginia
TV? WTVZ/Watchstadium.com/GoHeelstv.com
RADIO? Tar Heel Sports Network. Jones Angell (play-by-play), Brian Simmons (analyst) and Lee Pace (sideline)
WEATHER? Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 82F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph from Weather.com.
LINE? UNC -8
ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC won the only matchup between the teams, 80-20, on Nov. 23, 2013.
PREDICTION? UNC 31, ODU 17.

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UNC vs ODU: Preview, broadcast information and prediction

By Alec Lasley | Sep 14, 2017