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North Carolina Tar Heels: Facing the Option Once Again

By John Woodcock

Oct 22, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Kurt Benkert (6) attempts to avoid the tackle of North Carolina Tar Heels defensive end Malik Carney (53) in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Kurt Benkert (6) attempts to avoid the tackle of North Carolina Tar Heels defensive end Malik Carney (53) in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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The North Carolina Tar Heels look to keep their Coastal chances open with a win against Georgia Tech.

The North Carolina Tar Heels reenter the action today after a week off. As luck would have it, they got an extra week to prepare for the antithesis of what they do. That would be the option attack of Georgia Tech. Tech likes to bleed the clock with long drives and rarely throws the ball. The Tar Heels like to strike quickly and take any points that their faster pace leaves available to him.

For both of those reasons the Tar Heel defense will be tested today and probably spend a long time on the field. How much run stuffing have the Tar Heels learned? We find out soon enough. They handled Miami well enough, but that is not the game the Heels should think about.

No, the game that will be on the mind of the Tar Heel defense is likely the Georgia one. That was the other game this season where they played a dedicated run offense. The Bulldogs put a steady diet of Nick Chubb on the field and the Tar Heel defense never truly mastered it. Georgia also used blocking schemes with additional blockers.

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It is that last thing that the Tar Heels will have to look out for. There will be receivers cut blocking down field. Players will have to play their assignments properly. Know when to contain. Do you have the dive, the quarterback, or the pitch? It is times like this that the Tar Heels could use more experience on the defensive line.

However guys like Malik Carney have proven quite capable and perhaps they will again today. The secondary will also have to play well. Des Lawrence, M.J. Stewart, and Donnie Miles will be responsible for setting edges and beating blocks in order to shutdown some of these option looks. An early stop could lead to an early lead. Option teams hate playing from behind.

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That mantra will put a little pressure on Mitch Trubisky and the offense. They need to score and try to pull Georgia Tech out of what they do. If Georgia Tech has to go to the air early, it will almost certainly mean more turnover opportunities.

North Carolina will be looking to keep pace with Virginia Tech if they win. The Tar Heels’ only road to the ACC Championship relies on a Hokie slip up between now and the end of the season.

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