Virginia Tech vs North Carolina: The Preview

The season began with a so-so performance, or we could even say, a sub par one, against a Division IAA team at home. Against McNeese State if not for Brandon Tate UNC might just be 0-1 to begin 2008. But the following game, 10 days later, the season elevated itself quickly with a decisive win versus Rutgers on the road. Breaking a 20 game out of state losing streak for the Heels, and showing that UNC can now play on other team's fields and win. Now, at the third game this team and its season are at a cross road. A 3-0 beginning will definitely put all the buzz on high alert that the Tar Heels are for real. A 2-1 start might make some of the "haters" wonder if it was Rutgers that just wasn't that good. In other words, the game today at Kenan Stadium betwen North Carolina (2-0, 0-0 in the ACC) and Virginia Tech (2-1, 1-0 in the ACC) is a lot more than just an ACC match up.


Brandon Tate needs to be as good as ever, especially when it comes to the special teams (Pic by Keelo CB.com)

Aside all of the other things, this game is going to come down to one thing that can not be taught, but you either have it or not: desire. Carolina, in front of a packed house is going to have to dig way deep and make it all hang out. This game is the game that is going to make the Heels take the step up into being a team that could be in the fold when the season is over, and they can not afford to lose this oppurtunity. Virginia Tech is the defending ACC champions, and they are underdog today, that is going to give the Hokies plenty of motivation. The Heels must be equal (if not more) with their motivation.


Greg Little needs to get the running game going for UNC (Pic by Keelo CB.com)

The Heels must stay within themselves, believing in one another, but they have to play at the top of their game in each and every play. Bend, not break! This is going to be one of those games where you are going to be hanging on to each and every play, because it could be the one that changes the game. When a game is going to be this close you have to look at things such as special teams, where UNC is good, but so is Virginia Tech. Who wins that battle might just win the game. Or look at the turnovers, who has the least of them, might just win the game. This is going to be one of those games where you can never give up on any play, on any series, on any team mate, on anything. This is the game that us Tar Heels fans have been waiting for to be in, and now, less than a year and a half from the hiring of head coach Butch Davis, we are in one.


Marvin Austin and the rest of the defense has to be excellent today against the Hokies (Pic by Keelo CB.com)

I truly think that the Hokies are going to come into Kenan Stadium and try to make the point that they are the tougher of the two squads. That has always been a way to prove a point when playing on the road. The Heels are on a high from the Rutgers game, they have to now concentrate on this one and match the intesity of the hitting on the field that Va Tech will be giving to them. Again, on each play, the Heels must be sure that they are as strong, as hard, as competitive as the Hokies . If they can show that from the get go that is going to deflate head coach Frank Beamer's team, and give an edge to Carolina.

Here are my keys to winning this game:

• Get the lead early. In college football home field advantage means a lot, and the Tar Heels need to make sure they use it today. Get those fans into the game from the get go, and the best way is to get the lead and make sure that you keep scoring.


• Use the passing game, but get the running game going as well. You can not beat Va Tech being one dimensional, you can beat them if they have to guess on most plays what will be coming at them. If the Heels can get it going on the ground and then spring Tate and Nicks deep that should help them a lot. On the other hand, if T.J. Yates can go deep in the beginning of the game so that the Hokie defense has to stretch that will help Greg Little plenty.


• The defense has to prove they aren't a liability for the Heels. The Heels have to contain Tyrod Taylor, make sure that the Hokies do not establish the run right off the bat, and that the young defensive backs do not get burnt. That is a lot to ask, and that again brings me to point one, get the lid early and score, score, score, making the Hokies have to catch up and changing game plan.

Head coach Butch Davis brougnt the first away game out of the state for UNC, now he needs to bring this one home as well
(Pic by Jayone of PlayitUSA)

In the end, this is going to be a great game, and as I said, with the team that shows the most desire, has the fewest mistakes, probably being the winner at the end of it all. I have to believe that the Heels have a good chance to win this game, more because they have the talent and the home field advantage. The key is to keep both of those things on their side, meaning that the skilled players need to step it up, and they have to keep the crowd in it all the way through the game.