North Carolina vs Rutgers: The Preview

Tonight, when North Carolina will play Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey, a lot more than a win or a loss are at stake. The Tar Heels haven't won outside of the state of North Carolina in their last twenty tries, with their last victory going back to October 2002. Under head coach Butch Davis Carolina hasn't won a road game period, going 0 and 6 last year. For a lot of people, some in the media and most in the fan base, this is the game that will change all of that.

It is also the game that ex boss (Butch Davis) meets with ex assistant (Greg Schiano), both on the Miami Hurricane staff. From what I have read the two coaches are good friends, but tonight they will also be big time foes on the field. But there is more, this is a game between two teams that a lot of the media thought were good for their conferences, but not the best. With both the ACC and the Big East struggling this season, this win might just decide who is the better of the two. And just like the conferences they play in, both of these teams struggled in their first game of the year.

This game tonight has a lot riding on it for both teams, and who wins this game will be in part because they were able to handle the "extras" of the game better. This game has a lot riding for the Heels, who believe 2008 to be the year they once again gain access to a post season bowl and begin their upward swing towards the higher ranks of the conference. Winning this game would certainly begin to upward momentum that the team and fan base have been waiting for. Losing this game might just once again make people believe that there was a lot more talk than action coming from Chapel Hill.

I am not saying that a win is a must for UNC against Rutgers, but it is a game that will be in front of millions as it is on ESPN on a Thursday, meaning that as far as football goes they are the only show in town! Winning a game on the road when underdogs (Las Vegas puts Rutgers a 6 points favorite) is something that will do well for the moral of the team and in the recruiting campaign. But the discussion isn't whether or not this game is winnable, because the answer is pretty obvious on that front, yes, it is a winnable game. The discussion has to be whether or not this team can bounce back from a lack luster performance and win a game on the road. There the answer isn't as easy.

I believe that the talent to go into New Jersey and win is there. I also think that there is more pressure on Rutgers than there is on Carolina, being that the Heels, for better or worst are 1-0, while the Scarlet Knights are 0-1. But here are my keys to this game in order for the Heels to come out with a victory.

• Score first! I believe this to be a must in order for Carolina to be able to win this game. The pressure needs to be put all on Rutgers, and the best way to do that is to get them behind early.


• Post Rice era. A lot of the media and experts talked about how the team was different without their now NFL back. If the Heels can stop the offense that will once again creep into the minds of the players, and while people say things like that don't bother anyone, I believe they do.


• The Tate of the game. It is going to be hard to see another record breaking performance out of Brandon Tate, or anyone else for that matter. But, if someone on the team steps up to play above and beyond their usual self it will go a long way in winning this game. I have to believe that it is going to be a tandem of Nicks/Tate that will be the difference when it is all said and done. Having said that, the Heels must be able to get some sort of running game going in order to make this game theirs.


• Field position. When two teams are pretty evenly matched the big difference can be field position. Getting control of that might just win or lose the game for the Heels in this game.


• No liabilities. Every single player tonight has to remember this "I might not have won the game for my North Carolina, but I didn't lose it for them either". A fundementally sound game is what everyone wearing Carolina Blue must do in order to win this game. Going for the big play on defense to let up a touchdown isn't worth it tonight, as isn't trying for seven when you have a gimme at three.

In the end it all comes down to one thing, who wants it more. I have to believe that this Carolina team is hungry for a win on the road. That they believe in themselves and the team enough to win this game. That the conditions are right for a win against Rutgers and most of all, that the buzz/hype of this team was real and not just a lot of words on newspapers. It might not be a pretty game, but it is going to be one that should be good once it is over and done, as the Heels go back to Chapel Hill 2-0.