As has been the case for most of 2024, defense has been hard to come by for the UNC football team. Saturday afternoon at Boston College.
North Carolina (6-5, 3-4 ACC) allowed the Eagles to generate 422 yards of offense – and put 41 points on the board. It was the Tar Heels“This is the first time an opponent has scored 41 points since October. Georgia Tech scored 41 at Kenan Stadium.
UNC’s next defensive task will be slow down NC State Saturdayon November 30, as on Wolf pack (5-6, 2-5 ACC) come to Chapel Hill for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. North Carolina will attempt to deny bowl eligibility to its bitter football rivals, while NC State will attempt to beat the Tar Heels for a fourth straight season.
The Wolfpack scored 39 points against UNC in 2023, but with a much better offense. It doesn’t matter who plays North Carolina because they struggle to slow down the worst offenses. The Tar Heels’ main focus should be on in-state quarterback CJ Bailey, a dangerous dual threat coming off a 3-touchdown, 3-interception game.
UNC needs to find ways to generate pressure, because high bag totals played a major role in the stunning victories at Virginia and State of Florida. North Carolina also plays well when generating turnovers – just watch Power Echols Pick 6 against Wake Forest.
The Tar Heels cannot allow the Wolfpack to crush them. More than half of Boston College’s total yards came on the ground – and three different Eagles scored a rushing touchdown.
What exactly does UNC need to do defensively for a big win against NC State? We will give you our opinion below.
Don’t let NC State run its running game
The Wolfpack aren’t much of a running team, but that won’t stop them from rolling through UNC on Saturday.
Despite his three interceptions in NC State’s close loss to Georgia Tech in Week 13, CJ Bailey ran for a season-high 83 yards and three touchdowns.
UNC needs to lock down Bailey – and Duke transfer Jordan Waters – if he wants to win on Saturday.
Don’t allow fat quarters
Every team is destined to score in a football game at some point. UNC knew this going into Boston College.
What North Carolina didn’t prepare for, however, was the Eagles’ 21 points in the second quarter. This put the Tar Heels in a hole they couldn’t get out of.
If UNC can hold NC State to seven points or less per quarter Saturday at Kenan Stadium, I like the chances of winning.
Win the turnover battle
A major factor in UNC’s loss at Boston College was the host Eagles’ ability to generate turnovers, shutting down Jacolby Criswell three times.
North Carolina beat Wake Forest the previous weekend by doing the same, picking off two Michael Kern passes and recovering a fumble.
If the Tar Heels can find ways to take the football out of NC State’s hands, a win wouldn’t be surprising.
Cover Kevin Concepcion
Kevin Concepcion leads NC State with five receiving touchdowns this year. Concepcion has just 51 receiving yards in his last three games, but that won’t slow him down against UNC’s defense.
North Carolina struggles to cover top-end talent at the wide receiver position. Just look at what Emeka Emezie did to the Tar Heels in 2021.
If UNC can limit Concepcion, it will come away with a victory on Saturday.
Turn pressure into bags
Kevin Hester was the only Tar Heel to generate a sack against Boston College. He also recorded a season-high 10 tackles.
North Carolina generated 17 sacks between wins at Virginia and Florida State. Kaimon Rucker and Joshua Harris each recorded a sack against Wake Forest.
Pressure on the defensive line has arguably played the biggest role in UNC’s recent three-game winning streak. The Tar Heels can pull off a huge win against NC State, but only if they get to Bailey.
This article was originally published on Tar Heels Wire: Defensive keys to a UNC football victory in the regular season finale against NC State
