Previewing the UNC football program's final non-conference matchup with JMU
Time is a flat circle. The UNC football program is 3-0 but embarks on their final non-conference game of the season with a brewing quarterback controversy. Conner Harrell did not look comfortable running the offense against NC Central, and prodigal son Jacolby Criswell came into the line-up and drove the Tar Heels to a win. Let's not quite call it a comfortable win.
The offense can hang its hat on its superlative running game for at least one more game, but progress must be made in the passing attack, whoever ends up leading the charge.
And don't look now, but the North Carolina football program's defense is looking... stout? New defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has gotten the D to play less like dogs and more like dawgs. The results speak for themselves. North Carolina currently owns the 25th ranked defense in the BCS and players such as Jahvaree Ritzie and Des Evans are finally living up to their billing.
Over on the other sideline, the James Madison University football program is traveling down US-29 South after their bye week. They will be well rested for their first visit to Chapel Hill since 2016, when Mitch Trubisky and company put a 56-27 beatdown on the Dukes. North Carolina's offense isn't nearly up to that level, and JMU has gotten a lot better, so don't expect that kind of margin. James Madison can be dangerous, just as the former President felt mob rule could be in the Federalist Papers.
What advances the public good for JMU? Look no further than former Tar Heel George Pettaway. The scatback from Suffolk, Virginia is blossoming in a more featured role, as he had 116 all-purpose yards (84 rushing, 32 receiving) in the win over Gardner-Webb two weeks ago. Pettaway is such a different back from Omarion Hampton, but it would have been sooooo interesting to see him split a backfield with the Tar Heel doomsday machine. He can break tons of yardage into the second level not after contact, but from taking great cuts to keep defenders from putting big hits on him.