UNC Tar Heels vs Duke Blue Devils

Lawrence Jordan: Radio shows are buzzing with callers. Pre-game articles are abundant and insightful. An excitement fills the air in Durham and Chapel Hill as the match-up with the oh-too-familiar arch rival approaches. Did I mention that it's early November and we're talking about the football teams?

Duke marches into Chapel Hill with a 3-1 ACC record and the #1 passing attack in the conference. The Tar Heels counter with the ACC's toughest overall defense (#1 rush defense & #3 pass defense). The elephant in Kenan Stadium is that UNC has played only one pass oriented offense this year, FSU, and their defensive effort was inconsistent.

Which Tar Heel defense will show up Saturday? The defense that only surrendered 6 first half points to FSU? OR the defense that gave up 24 second half points and allowed Ponder to connect for 16 straights completions and 300+ yards?

Why the Tar Heels will win...

• Duke is a one dimensional offensive team. They will attempt to throw the ball all over the field, but do not have much of a rushing attack. Without the threat of the run, the quick and athletic Tar Heels are laterally fast enough to contain the Blue Devils.
• The Tar Heels creatively used its WR's to bolster their running attack of Draughn and Houston. Look for Little, Boyd, and Highsmith to get more rushing touches this week to open up the offense.
• The Tar Heels' offense gained depth with players returning from injury. Zack Pianalto (Yates' favorite target at TE), Jonathan Cooper, and Lowell Dyer are all playing again and are big contributors on the offensive line.
• If the game gets bogged down into a defensive match-up (Duke's defense is statistically in the top third of the ACC), look for the Heels to have an field position advantage. Duke has the lowest rated punting game in the ACC.
• The Tar Heels have won 18 of the last 19 games against Duke.

Game Score:
North Carolina 21
Duke 20

Philip Thompson: Why Duke will Win...

• Who would you take, Thad Lewis or CJ Yates? Lewis has been a one man wrecking crew on his senior campaign, while Yates continues to struggle.
• The game means much more to Duke. Their seniors would love more than anything to win the victory bell for only the 2nd time in nineteen years
• Duke is destiny’s darling. There may not be a better story right now in the country than what is going on in Durham.

Final Score:
Duke 27
UNC 23