Bill Belichick’s Aura? Gio Lopez says It’s real and UNC feels it

If there were any questions about whether the UNC football team would buy in to the Bill Belichick way, quarterback Gio Lopez says the answer comes every time the six-time Super Bowl winner comes into a team meeting.

Lopez appeared on the ACC Network during the conference's Media Days and talked about Belichick's aura.

"We've got team meetings at 4, you show up at 3:45, of course," Lopez said. "And you see him walk in...and everyone just kind of...you see someone talking, you're tapping them, 'hey, be quiet' and he starts talking."

​With all the outside noise that's surrounded the program since Belichick took over, it's good to see that the players know when it's to get down to business. 

​Lopez: ‘I’m underrated, and so Is this UNC team’

There's never been a question of Lopez's buy in. The transfer from South Alabama said he spends a lot of time studying other quarterbacks that have played under Belichick, mentioning Jacoby Brissett and Matt Cassel in particular. 

Lopez is expected to be a dual-threat element to the offense, but he doesn't want to be pigeonholed into being simply a runner or a passer. But more importantly, he is playing with a little chip on his shoulder because he believes the Tar Heels are being dismissed a little early. 

"I feel like I can do a little bit of everything," Lopez said. "A lot of people view me as a runner sometimes and some people don't view me as that. I feel like when I do scramble it's for me to pass, I'm not running just to take off. I do want to extend the play. I feel like I'm underrated, of course, but I feel like every player should feel underrated. I feel like the UNC team as a whole feels underrated and wants to prove themselves."

​Lopez isn't complaining, but he's clearly insulted by the low expectations. That is going to be something that drives him this season and if the Tar Heels can get off to a fast start, expect a lot of pundits to change their tune quickly.