North Carolina Tar Heels vs Duke Blue Devils Preview
For the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils it rarely comes to this. Normally this is the Victory Bell game and outside of some shenanigans with paint, that is all it comes to. This year though the two teams are fighting for leadership in the Coastal Division. A ticket to Charlotte could be a step closer for either team in victory.
If the ACC referees had not botched the last Duke game against Miami, this might have been a matchup of two ranked squads both undefeated in conference play. That is not the case, but the Blue Devils can still pull the Tar Heels down into a tiebreaker advantage with a win. The Tar Heels could pretty effectively stiff arm the competition if victorious.
Opponent: Duke Blue Devils (6-2, 3-1 ACC)
Date: November 7, 2015
Time: 12:00 PM
TV: ESPN2
Venue: Kenan Stadium
How Duke Wins
The Blue Devils win the game in the following manner. They must establish the run. One of the bright spots of the Miami game was the play of Jela Duncan. He is the kind of back that could try to batter away at a Tar Heel defensive line that has been trying to get healthy. The clock can be Duke’s friend if they milk it and keep the Tar Heels defense on the field.
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On defense the Blue Devils must keep the roof tight. The Tar Heels needed a big play or two to get past Virginia and Pitt with their deep threat receivers like Mack Hollins and Ryan Switzer. Jeremy Cash and the defensive backfield have been strong for Duke all year. They must be especially so today. Duke does not want to have to run down the Tar Heels from too far behind.
That puts turnovers at a premium. Marquise Williams has tossed a ball or two to the other team before, Duke needs him to do it again.
How North Carolina Wins
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Duke has been committed to a 4-2-5 scheme for the past couple of years. They have sacrificed size for speed at linebacker after training camp injuries. The trick then is for the Heels to impose their superior size up front and run Elijah Hood or Williams through the gaps. There should be room in the second level, and Hood is not likely to be taken down by the first man.
On defense the Tar Heels need to shore up their run coverage. The more long throwing situations that Thomas Sirk has to look at the better. Short third downs open up the run for Sirk, and he leads his team in rushing yards.
Taking care of the football is key for the Heels.
Prediction: 28-21 North Carolina