Lessons Learned from UNC football program's demolition of Virginia

Who is this defense, and where did it come from???

The UNC football program's defensive reputation has been in the mud for some time now. The disrespect was deserved from year after year of disappointment and an inability to hold leads. All of that disdain seemed to evaporate in the air like steam out of a cartoon bull's nose after a banner day at Scott Stadium.

North Carolina's defense was outstanding, holding the Hoos to 74 (sack-adjusted) rushing yards, or just 3.9 yards per rush. If you remember from your pregame assigned reading, we said that North Carolina had to keep Virginia from rushing for more than four yards per rush. Job done.

But that was only half of it. The Tar Heels collected 10 sacks, their most since 2000. Kaimon Rucker, out earlier in the season due to injury, had three sacks and an interception. Jahvaree Ritzie had a sack and the most hilarious pick-six you'll see all season.

If North Carolina can play defense anything close to this level for the rest of the season, they could conceivably win the rest of the games on their schedule.