UNC is back on the field this afternoon against ETSU with a chance to move to 2-0, and the setup looks a lot cleaner on paper than the week that came before it. Since UNC beat TCU for its first win of the season, plenty has happened around the program, and not much of it has been good. That victory was the biggest Power Four win of the Bill Belichick era, though the source material makes clear that, even if you’ve been following closely since his hire, that still isn’t exactly banner-stitching territory.
On the field, though, this one should give UNC a chance to settle in. ETSU lost to Campbell in its first game, so this has the feel of a tune-up more than anything else. It’s an opportunity for both sides of the ball to clean up the rough edges from last weekend while UNC looks ahead to next week’s game against Clemson.
One thing to watch is what Bobby Petrino has planned for the offense. The hope is that he can help UNC get into the end zone more than once, but there’s also the possibility he keeps some of the playbook under wraps for later, almost like the coach from The Waterboy stashing plays in his notebook for a rainy day. Even so, UNC appears to have the better roster on paper, which should give the Heels enough firepower to score regardless.
For fans who can’t be at Kenan Stadium for the first home game of the season, there’s still a place to follow along and talk through it. After the game, post-game analysis and takes are coming. Until then, Go Heels!
In Other News...
UNCs ACC Opener Just Took A Sudden Turn At Quarterback
Clemsons quarterback picture changed quickly this week after Christopher Vizzina suffered an elbow injury against Georgia Southern and was labeled week-to-week. For North Carolina, that means the ACC opener has picked up an extra layer of uncertainty before the Tar Heels even take the field, with freshman Tait Reynolds now expected to make his first career start.
Dabo Swinney said Reynolds showed promise in relief, but he also made it clear Clemson plans to lean on both quarterbacks moving forward. For UNC, the adjustment is less about the name on the depth chart than the timing of the change, because preparing for a first-time starter in a conference game can alter everything from pressure plans to coverage looks. [Read more 🡒]
UNC May Have A New Passing Weapon Before Clemson
UNC has spent the first two weeks grinding through ugly weather and finding out a lot about itself in the process. The Tar Heels have won both games in rain-soaked conditions, given up only 13 points across eight quarters and shown a defense that has looked sharper on third downs, while the offense has had to make the most of limited possessions and has still managed to stay efficient.
One of the quieter developments has been the emergence of freshman CJ Sadler in the passing game. He has already started to carve out a real role, sharing targets with the rest of the receiver group and giving the Tar Heels another option to feature as the schedule stiffens. With Clemson next, UNC may be looking at a new kind of threat to keep defenses honest, even if the full extent of that role is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Just Got An Opening It Cannot Waste Against Clemson
Clemsons offense is headed into its next meeting with North Carolina with a different face under center, after starting quarterback Christopher Vizzina suffered an elbow injury and is expected to miss the game. Freshman Tait Reynolds is projected to make the start in his place, giving the Tar Heels a chance to line up against a much less familiar look than the one Clemson had planned to feature.
For UNC, the timing matters because Clemson has already spent much of the early season looking out of sync, and a quarterback switch only adds to the uncertainty. The Tar Heels do not need to solve every issue for the Tigers to gain an edge here, but they do need to treat this as an opportunity to pressure a young passer and make Clemson play from behind the curve. [Read more 🡒]