Another Saturday and another Carolina win in the books. This win was about as easy as the previos weekend's win over Duke. After steamrolling two consecutive, bowl bound ACC Coastal Squads, Carolina put themselves in the unique position of rattling some cages as they work themselves up the National Rankings. What I saw yesterday afternoon was a football team that continues to play on a mission and with a chip on their shoulder. Rather than buckling after the tough Sakerlina loss, this unit's gone out each and every game, competed, and tried to play a better game than the previous. What's amazing is in their toughest three games of the 2015 season (the last three played ) Carolina's come out and handled each opponent the way they needed to. I can certainly knit pick about how we still haven't closed the door completely on an opponent they way we need to (in the eyes of the coaches, and certain perfectionist fans; me), but what's most important is we're 9-1 and a win (or a Pitt Loss) from clinching a trip to Charlotte.
What I saw on Offense:
As much as I've read, heard and listened to about how some folks don't want to give the credit to this coaching staff I must raise you the first half we watched on offense against Miami. For those who follow the game, you may have heard that most offenses will script anywhere from the first 15 to 20 plays of each ballgame. Carolina's offense is no different. Only will teams get off script if something extreme were to happen such as: an injury to a star player, getting routed in the first quarter, etc.. Coaches often make adjustments following this script and we saw a prime example on Saturday. Carolina's offense didn't come out firing the in the first couple of series like we saw against Duke. Instead, Carolina punted on their first two series (including sputtering to a three and out on the second series). Adjustments were made and the offense ripped off scores in 9 of their next 10 possessions. The adjustments made by the offensive coaches led to this route. Miami minimized Carolina's effectiveness of the outside zone plays and zone read the first two drives. Carolina recognized the unbalanced looks the front seven of Miami showed and drew up a series of counters and powers utilizing the pulling blockers to put a hat on the extra unblocked man. The best example of this came on Marquise's 46 yard rumble on the field goal drive. Landon Turner swallowed Miami's defensive end who was playing contain.
Another adjustment the coaches made on offense was recognizing how the Miami secondary's press coverage could be used against them. This allowed the receivers to fit into their run blocks quicker, plus helped create mismatches on the edge often resulting in splash plays or Miami penalties (yep, most of the 12). The coaching staff did an excellent job of recognizing that the way to gash this Miami team would be on the ground rather than through the air.
What I saw on Defense
I saw a defense that was gettin' after it for the most part of the game. The defensive line looked solid in their run fits and I like how the Carolina defense attacked this week after giving up over 300 yards on the ground to Duke. North Carolina was absolutely adamant about stopping the run against Miami and they lived up to that calling. Miami was also unable to exploit Carolina with the deep ball. Miami did have some success hitting the intermediate routes in the game but otherwise this team took out Miami's threats on offense. I do believe this defense is not elite enough to completely shut down an
opposing, as we have yet to see it this year. With another year of a thing.on the defensive line, this could very well become a thing. As for the rest of the year, this defense defense must continue to make opposing offenses one dimensional in favor of the Heels. If Virginia Tech can run the ball at will, the Heels will have to find answer against what I thinks an improving offense in Blacksburg.
What must improve:
Two things: I touched on it earlier, but I'm still waiting for Carolina to completely close out a game. While the offense has done a great job at running up the scoreboard, the defense has yet to be dominant for an entire 60 minutes. The opportunity lies ahead to exert this kind of dominance this weekend in Blacksburg. Will the defense rise to this challenge?
I'm also looking for consistent play from the front 4 on defense. To give credit where it's due; Carolina showed this in spurts this past week. However, Carolina often needed a 5th or 6th rusher to truly rattle Brad Kaaya. With the defensive backs currently in the rotation, I know that Chiz and Co want the DL to get on the same level as what we're seeing in the rear. Defensive Tackle play must continue to improve.
What to finish with:
My hat goes off to this coaching staff and group of seniors who've done an excellent job of rallying this team around one another. Two goals still outstanding:
1. Win the ACC Coastal
2. With the State Championship.
Carolina can wrap one up this weekend and handle the next one the Saturday following Turkey Day.
One game at a time. Let's go win in BBurg.
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