Lawrence Jordan: I didn't see it coming. The Tar Heels delivered a surprise blow last night that was as inventive as it was crushing. How does a team give away an 18 point second half lead at home on a nationally televised feed?
The Tar Heels literally punted this game away. Why does a coaching staff not attempt a fourth and five on their opponents side of the field when trailing instead of punting? The coaches made a decision to give the ball back to FSU with 4 minutes remaining in the game and trailing by 3 points. Unbelievable. This clearly shows the coaching staff's opinion of Yates abilities.
Did they think a defense that just surrendered 3 straight scoring drives was going to suddenly revert back to relevancy? Did they think their below average QB, Yates, was going to lead a last minute scoring drive? Did they really want to rely on the inconsistent foot of Barth at the end of the game?
The defense was solid for about two-thirds of the game, but that last one-third was a total melt down. Up to the final twenty minutes the defense had surrendered less than 100 yards of total offense to FSU. In the final twenty minutes that total ballooned to 438 yards, as Christian Ponder efficiently dissected the UNC defense to end the game 33/40 for 395 total passing yards.
How did the "stellar" Tar Heel defense give up all those yards? They knew FSU would have to pass the ball. FSU's running game was stagnant and they knew Ponder had to throw the ball. What happened?
Could it be that the Citadel, GSU, ECU, and UConn weren't good barometers of the defensive integrity? UVA, GT, and now FSU would suggest so...
And...someone has to say it...how BAD is TJ Yates? FSU has one of the worst defenses in NCAA football, and yet he can only manage 12/25 for 64 yards and an INT? The running game averaged more yards per carry than he gained on his average pass completion. I'll go ahead and say it...START Bryn Renner or Braden Hanson. How much more proof do we need that our offensive unit is futile. It's obvious the offense needs an overhaul, so let's rework it from the top down.
Who is responsible for this debacle? This meltdown? This loss? The entire team. Butch Davis, John Shoop, TJ Yates, the defensive unit...they are all to blame. They are inventing new ways to disappoint their fan base this season, and while this wasn't a blow out loss to Duke at home, surrending an 18 point second half lead is almost as bad.
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Remember Jackass, you still have to play Duke. I would not run my mouth about them until the game was over.
ReplyDeleteTraditionally, FSU > Duke, but I acknowledge that is in question this year.
ReplyDeleteThis game gave me enough evidence to conclude that the Heels' problems lie with scheming/coaching, not personnel. Granted, Pianalto did not play most of the game. Our defensive vanilla sets got abused in the 2nd half. Embarrassing stuff.
ReplyDeleteOne argument is Carolina scored 27 points - how does one blame the offense in this one?
ReplyDeleteWell, considering FSU entered the game allowing 38.8 per conference game, I'd say the Heel offense is well below league average.
ReplyDeleteConversely, the Heels averaged 5 points per conference game entering last Thursday night, so putting up 27 might seem like an improvement. BUT, to put in in perspective...
The FSU NCAA defensive ranking actually improved from 107th to 99th after playing the Heels, and the Heel's offensive ranking stagnated around a paltry 114th.
I believe the defensive coaching calls were equally as atrocious at the END of the game. Prevent means playing not to lose - and it seems to always works against you.