Through the first two weeks of the 2025 season, the UNC football program has yet to find a true rhythm. Sure, they've put together some drives that have resulted in points, but the overall efficiency of the group is something that can definitely be improved upon.
That process starts with offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens.
You know the old saying, "once is a coincidence, twice is a pattern." Well, that sums up what we've seen from North Carolina's offense through eight quarters of play.
A perfectly scripted first drive, resulting in an easy score, followed by questionable decisions and play-calling.
This group doesn't lack talent. While it is a whole new look, there are pieces that the Tar Heels can work with, especially at the running back position. While this is all new still, the lone holdover from the Mack Brown staff needs to step up and put this unit in a better position to succeed consistently, as there are a few things we'd like to see the Tar Heels avoid moving forward.
Stop rolling Gio Lopez out to the right
A left-handed throwing quarterback, Lopez needs to be in a position where he can utilize his natural throwing motion, maintain a clear field of vision while also having his blind side protected by the offensive line. By rolling him to the right, it simply avoids all of those concepts, putting Lopez in a position to fail.
If you're going to roll out of the pocket, send Lopez to the left to make things easier for him to operate.
Flip the script on third down
Just looking at the Charlotte game alone, North Carolina's play calling on third down was questionable at best.
On fourth and short at the five-minute mark of the first quarter, the Tar Heels needed just one yard to extend the drive. Instead of going to the run game, a situation in which an RPO with Lopez would be ideal, the play call was to pass the ball, resulting in an incomplete pass on a long pass toward Javarius Green down the sideline.
In other third down situations, the Tar Heels were faced with longer distances to go. Sure, in situations like the third and 23 the Tar Heels faced in the early portion of the second quarter, you're not trying to risk turning the ball over by taking an unnecessary shot down the field. However, on third and medium situations, the ball should be in Lopez's hands to make a play, hopefully resulting in a first down through the air.
You know, that Jordan Shipp guy is excellent at what he does. Him only having two receptions on the night is something that must not become a trend moving forward.
Avoid becoming too predictable
Especially in the Charlotte game, it was noticeable that the defense was able to sniff out what North Carolina was trying to do as the game progressed.
The Tar Heels seemed to be heavily focused on the short game, sticking with screen/bubble passes and runs (essentially up the gut).
Think back to the UNC football program's pair of opening touchdown drives. Why did both of those drives work?
It's simple: the Tar Heels kept the defense guessing by taking some shots down the field.
Becoming too predictable will only hurt the UNC football program's offense, especially as teams get more film on them. It's perfectly fine to have an identity and stick by it, but you have to open the field up to ensure that the defense can't focus on one set area.
Sure, Kitchens is the "scapegoat" right now, but it's important to remember that he's not the one on the field making the plays. If the offense executes and puts up big numbers, no one would be complaining, but since the unit has been hit or miss through two weeks of the season, the blame primarily falls on the play caller himself.
These are all things that the UNC football program can improve upon to ensure more offensive efficiency. Remember, it takes time for a team, led by an entirely new coaching staff that has 70 new players in the fold, to gel, but if the offense continues to stall, there will be more rumblings regarding the team's offensive play calling.