Good and bad of having the bye week THIS week

[UNCGridironFanatic]

Bad- you never like to have an off week when you are hot and rolling. And we are, kinda...

Good- We need to get a few key people healthy. Spain and NJones, in particular (dirty @ss PJ teaching the hi-low, smdh). Line depth on both sides of the ball is critical. Also, in our case, the bye will let us "settle" a bit from the big road comeback and see it in the big picture for what is is: a bigtime gut check W that we needed badly, but one in which we didn't play well for a quarter and 2/3rds, creating our own hole. And we didn't exactly beat FSU or Clemson; GT is a team that is struggling, although I think they'll prove to be a 6-7 W team. Make no mistake, this was a quality win, but it wasn't an epic W over a Top10 team or any such thing.

Wake is a well-coached, capable team. We are their Super Bowl, as always. We'd better be ready for their best shot. Like our chances if we play a 60 min. game.

 

[bobby121567]

As you sad bad. Come out flat and have to play catch up. And it is good that we are getting to the bye really except a few injuries pretty healthy if you think about it. Getting the two players back would be good. But all in all healthy. Special teams work is a must. Especially the punters.

 

[Littlejon]

Wake always plays us tough, but I think we will be OK after the break. Get guys healthy and give us time to prepare and I think we will be fine.

 

[UNC71-00]

Do we know anything about Jones? 1st degree sprain? Or possible amputation? I know Larry always lokes to keep us in the loop

 

[TarHeelMark]

Last year after walloping dook, we came out flat against state, so I'm hoping it's a good thing to have a few days for the team to get over this big win, then get ready for a Wake team that will not be a gimme win.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Last year after walloping dook, we came out flat against state, so I'm hoping it's a good thing to have a few days for the team to get over this big win, then get ready for a Wake team that will not be a gimme win.

I don't think you can compare last year's team to this year's because of one important factor: team unity.

It's pretty clear based on coaches' and players' interviews that A.J. has compiled during fall camp and the season that the locker room was badly fractured last season. Coaches weren't on the same page, players weren't buying in, offense was exasperated that the defense was SO terrible.....

You can just tell this year's team is so much more unified. Strong-willed coaches like Chizik, Warren, and Scott wouldn't tolerate any team in-fighting and such. Can we still come out flat against Wake? Absolutely lol, that would be very UNC-ish of us.....but I'm more hopeful than I am last season. I feel like no team will kick our butt this season. We'll be prepared for every game and we'll be in every game. Can't ask for much more than that.

 

[WoadBlue]

I don't think you can compare last year's team to this year's because of one important factor: team unity.

It's pretty clear based on coaches' and players' interviews that A.J. has compiled during fall camp and the season that the locker room was badly fractured last season. Coaches weren't on the same page, players weren't buying in, offense was exasperated that the defense was SO terrible.....

You can just tell this year's team is so much more unified. Strong-willed coaches like Chizik, Warren, and Scott wouldn't tolerate any team in-fighting and such. Can we still come out flat against Wake? Absolutely lol, that would be very UNC-ish of us.....but I'm more hopeful than I am last season. I feel like no team will kick our butt this season. We'll be prepared for every game and we'll be in every game. Can't ask for much more than that.

That difference on D was made manifest after GT got up 21-0. Then the D began to stiffen - no quit whatsoever. Those guys now believe that no matter how young they are, as a unit they can get the job done.

It's night and day.

 

[TarHeelMark]

I don't think you can compare last year's team to this year's because of one important factor: team unity.

Yes, you are correct. My concern is - as you said - it would be very "UNC-ish" of our football team to fall flat just when the bar has been raised.

However, after the NEVER-GIVE-UP effort on Saturday, I do believe that this team is different. Fingers crossed... we could do some great things this season.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

That difference on D was made manifest after GT got up 21-0. Then the D began to stiffen - no quit whatsoever. Those guys now believe that no matter how young they are, as a unit they can get the job done.

It's night and day.

And what's more, they did it even with a couple of their usual game-changers having a rough afternoon. For instance, Miles had a rough game. But other players picked up the slack.

 

[WoadBlue]

And what's more, they did it even with a couple of their usual game-changers having a rough afternoon. For instance, Miles had a rough game. But other players picked up the slack.

Exactly. And that's what good teams do - others pick up the slack when somebody falters.

The mindset of this D is just wonderful compared to what we had last year and the year before.

So, Bubba Cunningham, you find the money to make certain no school can take any of our assistants.

 

[Tru Blu Tar Heel]

Exactly. And that's what good teams do - others pick up the slack when somebody falters.

The mindset of this D is just wonderful compared to what we had last year and the year before.

So, Bubba Cunningham, you find the money to make certain no school can take any of our assistants.

Good luck keeping Chizek past next season if the defense continues to improve on their current arc. I mean, he's a National Championship winning coach. It's gonna be tough to keep him in the fold if he is successful.

 

[WoadBlue]

Good luck keeping Chizek past next season if the defense continues to improve on their current arc. I mean, he's a National Championship winning coach. It's gonna be tough to keep him in the fold if he is successful.

True. I think Fedora knows that. and so does Bubba.

What I think is ideal for us is that Papuchis has been a P5 DC. So Papuchis with 2 years under Chizik and all that Big Ten DC experience would be set to keep the UNC D rolling at a top level.

The other possibility is that if finish well this year and next year do even better, Fedora may get offers he feels he can't ignore. Maybe he wants to be an NFL coach. If Fedora were to leave, Chizik taking over would make sense.

 

[Archer2]

Good luck keeping Chizek past next season if the defense continues to improve on their current arc. I mean, he's a National Championship winning coach. It's gonna be tough to keep him in the fold if he is successful.

Wow, thanks for raining on our parade.

 

[Tru Blu Tar Heel]

Wow, thanks for raining on our parade.

lol....sorry guys, I'm a realist though. Hopefully he will prove me wrong though.