NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Oct 15, 2011
RK
LW
TEAM (VOTES)
W
L
POINTS
1
1
Alabama (41)
6
0
1505
2
2
Oklahoma (20)
5
0
1388
3
4
Standford
5
0
1377
4
5
Wisconsin
5
0
1377
5
7
Michigan State
5
0
1292
6
6
Boise State
5
0
1115
7
10
Virginia Tech
6
0
1045
8
9
Florida State
4
1
949
9
12
Baylor
5
0
945
10
10
Oklahoma State
4
1
853
11
18
USC
5
0
829
12
13
Arkansas
5
1
793
13
3
LSU
5
1
733
14
UR
Cal
5
0
603
15
8
Oregon
3
2
534
16
14
Auburn
4
2
456
17
22
BYU
6
0
434
18
17
Miami
4
1
415
19
UR
Ohio State
3
3
370
20
15
Nebraska
4
2
355
21
23
Missouri
3
2
349
22
16
Air Force
4
1
316
23
24
UCF
4
1
312
24
UR
SMU
5
0
310
25
25
Texas A&M
2
3
250
Matchup Preview | October 1, 2011
@
#18Miami (FL) Hurricanes (4-1, 1-1 Away)
North Carolina Tar Heels (4-2, 2-2 Home)
Offensive Stats Comparison
33.4
Points Per Game
35.0
1808
Total Offensive Yards
2294
903
Rushing Yards
708
905
Passing Yards
1586
Defensive Stats Comparison
1244
Total Yards Allowed
1672
787
Rushing Yards Allowed
552
457
Passing Yards Allowed
1120
Injury Report
FS J. Nicolas Pulled Hamstring 2 wks
LT B. Washington Hip Bursitis 3 wks
Game Notes
The Tarheels are reeling after an upset to Louisville. Coach Andrews has promised changes on the offensive line and quarterback position, but those changes are unknown as of now. Miami is looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Virginia Tech. I have the feeling it will be a close game. Both teams play great defense and know how to run the football so it should be a grind it out style of football this week. Our prediction: 24-21 Miami.
__________________
Quote:
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.
Just as Miami started running away with it in the first quarter, the North Carolina Tarheels regrouped to battle for a win over four quarters and three overtime periods.
This one could go down as the most memorable win of the season as it really showed this Tarheel team's resolve. All game long they trailed until the final two minutes of the game.
In the first quarter, Miami strip sacked Bryn Renner just to run it back for a touchdown. Moments later Lamar Miller ran 52 yards up the middle of the UNC defense for a touchdown. It was beginning to look like a blow out real fast.
Early in the second quarter, Bryn Renner found Tight End N. Hurst for a 42 yard touchdown pass. Of course it only took Miami four plays to answer back with another big run by Lamar Miller for a touchdown. UNC fought back in the closing minutes of the half, first with a 48 yard field goal, and moments later with a 49 yard bomb from Renner to Dwight Jones.
In the third quarter we saw the defenses tighten up, and neither offense was capable of breaking free for a big play to turn the tide of the game. It wasn't until the fourth quarter when Sean Tapley, returner for UNC, broke free for a 50 yard punt return. From that point on the Miami Defense seemed to lose its grip on the game and it didn't take but a handful of plays for UNC to take a three point lead with just a little over a minute remaining.
Fortunately for Miami, Travis Benjamin beat the soft UNC coverage on the first play of the next drive for a very long completion that would set Miami up in field goal range. With just 22 seconds on the clock, Coach Andrews called a time out to ice J. Wieclaw, but the big legged kicker drilled the ball straight thru the uprights.
The overtime period began with North Carolina on defense. Miami was stopped on third and short and settled for a field goal. UNC's offense put up little fight on their first drive, and Barth answered back with a field goal of his own.
In the second overtime the UNC offense seemed to have worn out the Miami D. A slant over the middle to Dwight Jones led to a decent gain and the drive was finished moments later by a Ryan Houston rumble into the endzone.
The momentum the offense seemingly created was negated quickly however. On the first play of Miami's drive, T. Boston was burned by T. Streeter for a Miami Touchdown.
Miami however, couldn't generate much offense on their following drive and had to settle for a field goal. Like at the end of the 4th quarter, Coach Andrews called a time out to allow Wieclaw to think about his kick for a minute which would hang wide left moments later.
With Miami's back broken it only took five plays for UNC's Ryan Houston to pound his way into the endzone for the win.
"That's the way to rebound," Coach Andrews said after the game. "That's how you fight hard to the whistle."
"Do you see this team carrying this momentum to Clemson next week coach?"
"Momentum is a funny thing really. You think you have it after smoking ECU 23-2. Then you get your *** kicked by Lousiville 41-24 or whatever on your home turf. I don't put much stock in momentum. It's a fickle thing. Really I hardly believe in it. It is simply about execution, making the plays, and closing out games the right way."
"You're currently 3rd in the ACC Conference, 2nd in the Coastal Division. Do you think you can surpass Virginia Tech and make it to the Conference Championship?"
"Well yeah I do think that. I think this team is good enough to do that. But we just need to take it one game at a time you know? We have 5 more games. 3 away, and boy are they big away games. Clemson, NC State, and Virginia Tech. I know a lot of people speculate us coming out of that 1-2, but I'll remind you that we haven't lost a road game yet. In fact we've been pretty dominant when traveling. But right now I'm only focusing on the Clemson match up. They have a kid by the name of Tajh Boyd that can make a defense look bad. They may be a little banged up currently, but I see them giving us a good fight."
"How has Quinton Coples progressed from the beginning of the season? He seems to be making bigger impacts on games now."
"I think you are right about his impact. He has 5.5 sacks now and he's a devil in the backfield. In the beginning of the season I feel like it was a work ethic thing. We really worked him hard after that first week and he's responding nicely I think. You just need to give some guys a push is all."
And of course in typical fashion, Coach Andrews left us with what seems to be his favorite way to finish his press conferences. "Bring on Clemson."
__________________
Quote:
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.
3 Star OLB Will Gray has announced that he is almost ready to make a decision on where he will play next year. Marshall has been rumored to be the leader all season long, with Navy always close behind. North Carolina has taken a real interest in the young man however, and has been fighting for his services. He currently has a visit scheduled for UNC for week 9 of the season. He'll visit Marshall and Navy in weeks 13 and 14 respectively. Expect him to make his decision within the next two weeks.
1 Star FB Nick Anderson has a visit scheduled on Week 9 as well at UNC. He has declared them the front runner in his considerations.
4 Star QB Greg Burnett has made it clear that UNC has pulled away from the pack as far as his interest level goes. Expect him to be wearing Carolina Blue in the fall, even though it isn't official yet.
__________________
Quote:
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.
Clemson is in a do or die situation. Unfortunately the war of attrition that is college football has taken its toll on the Clemson offense, while North Carolina has avoided the injury bug. Tajh Boyd will be without his favorite target, freshman sensation Sammy Watkins. Luckily for Clemson they have a very deep receiving core this year that will be able to carry the load. The scary part for the Tigers is that the right side of their offensive line is out with injury. Redshirt freshmen Reid Webster and Gifford Timothy will need to step in and keep Quinton Coples and this North Carolina pass rush off of Tajh Boyd. That is a tough thing to put on two guys that have had minimal playing time on the college level. Expect Coples to overpower the young linemen and cause Tajh Boyd to run for his life. On the defensive side for Clemson they will need to figure out a way to get to the passer. None of the defensive linemen on this team have over 2.5 sacks, but this UNC O-Line has had problems keeping their signal callers upright all season long. The man that would benefit from Renner would be Xavier Brewer. The fourth year Junior has 5 interceptions on the season and could be up for another big day knowing UNC's turnover problems.
North Carolina's Giovanni Bernard has been solid so far this season. He has averaged 5 yards a carry and has now topped 700 yards rushing on the season. Dwight Jones has had a monster year for the Tarheels. He has already recorded 10 receiving touchdowns and averages 21.2 yards per reception. He'll easily finish the season with over 1300 yards receiving if he continues at the pace he has been on so far.
On Defense, Quinton Coples has recorded 5.5 sacks after starting out very slow this season. He has been a monster in the backfield with 14 tackles for a loss. Donte Paige Moss has also registered 5.0 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. Both of these ends have made huge impacts on the season. Tydreke Powell leads the team with 7 sacks. On this Carolina Defense there is no shortage of pass rushers.
With all that said, it is hard to not say that North Carolina can win this one. They have done well playing up to their potential against conference opponents, but Clemson is going into this with their backs against the wall. 31-28 UNC.
__________________
Quote:
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.
(CLEM) TD Clem: A. Ellington, 74 Yd run (C. Catanzaro kick)
0
7
1:06
(CLEM) TD Clem: D. Allen, 13 Yd pass from T. Boyd (C. Catanzaro kick)
2
14
SECOND QUARTER SCORING
UNC
CLEM
5:20
(CLEM) J.TD Clem: Brown, 27 Yd pass from C. Stoudt (C. Catanzaro kick)
2
21
1:52
(UNC) E.TD UNC: Highsmith, 11 Yd pass from B. Renner (C. Barth kick)
9
21
0:23
(UNC) TD UNC: N. Hurst, 5 Yd pass from B. Renner (C. Barth kick)
16
21
THIRD QUARTER SCORING
UNC
CLEM
5:30
(CLEM) M. TD Clem: Bryant, 72 Yd pass from C. Stoudt (C. Catanzaro kick)
16
28
0:14
(UNC) TD UNC: N. Hurst, 10 Yd pass from B. Renner (C. Barth kick)
23
28
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING
UNC
CLEM
6:54
(UNC) TD UNC: R. Houston, 4 Yd run (C. Barth kick)
30
28
0:28
(UNC) TD UNC: R. Houston 1 Yd run (C. Barth kick)
37
North Carolina Tar Heels
PASSING
C/A
YDS
TD
INT
B. Renner
20/28
257
3
4
B. Hanson
1/2
20
0
0
RUSHING
ATT
YDS
AVG
TD
G. Bernard
18
52
2.8
0
R. Houston
12
44
3.6
2
RECEIVING
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
N. Hurst
7
56
8.0
2
D. Jones
7
114
16.2
0
J. Boyd
4
64
16.0
0
E. Highsmith
2
23
11.5
1
G. Bernard
1
20
20.0
0
DEFENSE
TACK
SACK
INT
TD
T. Powell
4
3.0
0
0
S. Williams
2
1.0
0
0
Q. Coples
3
0.0
0
0
J. Price
5
0.0
0
0
T. Boston
5
0.0
0
0
K. Reddick
6
0.0
0
0
KICKING
FG
XP
PTS
LONG
C. Barth
0/0
5/5
5
0
PUNTING
NO
YDS
AVG
IN20
C. Feagles
3
134
44.6
1
KICK RETURN
RET
YDS
AVG
TD
S. Tapley
6
164
27.3
0
PUNT RETURN
RET
YDS
AVG
TD
S. Tapley
2
30
15.0
0
Clemson Tigers
PASSING
C/A
YDS
TD
INT
T. Boyd
6/7
100
1
0
C. Stoudt
11/16
158
2
0
RUSHING
ATT
YDS
AVG
TD
A. Ellington
8
76
9.5
1
M. Jones
3
16
5.3
0
R. McDowell
3
18
6.0
0
J. Brown
2
9
4.5
0
T. Boyd
1
9
9.0
0
C. Diehl
1
15
15.0
0
D. Allen
1
4
4.0
0
M. Bryant
1
4
4.0
0
RECEIVING
REC
YDS
AVG
TD
J. Brown
5
55
11.0
1
M. Jones
3
25
8.3
0
D. Hopkins
3
74
24.6
0
M. Bryant
2
75
37.5
1
A. Ellington
2
7
3.5
0
J. Craig
1
9
9.0
0
D. Allen
1
13
13.0
1
DEFENSE
TACK
SACK
INT
TD
B. Thompson
3
1.0
0
0
A. Branch
3
1.0
0
0
J. Meeks
5
0.0
2
0
C. Sensabaugh
5
0.0
1
0
R. Hall
9
0.0
1
0
KICKING
FG
XP
PTS
LONG
C. Catanaro
0/1
4/4
4
0
PUNTING
NO
YDS
AVG
IN20
D. Zimmerman
2
98
49.0
0
KICK RETURN
RET
YDS
AVG
TD
M. Bellamy
4
90
22.5
0
A. Ellington
2
40
20.0
0
PUNT RETURN
RET
YDS
AVG
TD
D. Hopkins
1
11.0
0
0
Going into this week there was a lot of buzz about Clemson's injury problems, and North Carolina's record against ACC opponents. The debate whether Clemson could hold UNC off from beating them on their own turf was a topic that was brought up often throughout the week. By 10 pm on Saturday night we had our answers.
In a thrilling fashion, North Carolina silenced the hostile crowd with a 37-28 victory that wasn't decided until late in the 4th quarter.
Each team played poorly in different ways. Clemson limited the big play potential of players like Dwight Jones and Giovanni Bernard, but could not stop Nelson Hurst, who caught two touchdown passes. The junior tight end was a nightmare for the Clemson defense as he found ways to get open and move the chains again and again when the running game failed to ever really start.
North Carolina on the other hand found themselves getting burned deep for two touchdown passed over 50 yards, and vulnerable early in the game on the ground as A. Ellington started the game off with a 74 touchdown run on the second play of the game. As the game wore on though they seemed to settle in and reduce the mistakes that allowed the big play.
From the opening kick off momentum was on Clemson's side. They jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the second play of their first drive, and built a 21-2 lead by the middle of the second quarter. It was easy to believe that this battered team was never going to look back.
However, North Carolina again showed their resilience in another tight game as they worked their way back into the game by half time and kept Clemson within reach throughout the third quarter. The offense ate the clock throughout the game, almost doubling their opponents time of possession and the defense was basically fresh by the time the fourth quarter started so they could close out the game.
Many things attributed to the Tiger's loss.
Tajh Boyd suffered a blow to the head by Quinton Coples in the second quarter, and had to leave the game. According to Clemson's medical staff he was complaining about blurred vision and migraines for the rest of the game.
Because Boyd was taken out of the game, Clemson lost the dual threat quarterback that makes the team so dangerous. C. Stoudt filled in the best he could, but his abilities as a pocket passer didn't leave any mystery to how Clemson would attempt to move the ball.
Since Clemson became a pass happy attack, by the second half their defense was clearly gassed and the ball control offense that North Carolina runs began to batter them into submission.
The amazing thing about this win for North Carolina is that they had more turnovers than Clemson, ran the ball less effectively, had less offensive yards, and even had several drive killing penalties, yet they still somehow finished their fourth ACC opponent of the season with a victory.
Coach Andrews was not ecstatic at his press conference, but he did seem to have a bit of weight off his shoulders as he spoke to reporters.
"I have preached all season long that it only takes a handful of plays to decide a game. Today proved that my way of looking at football isn't always consistent. Today you could pick a dozen plays, maybe even two dozen plays. Evaluate them. Study them. Figure out their impact on the game... Then you'll still be wondering how we won and Clemson lost."
"I don't believe we were the best team on the field today. We had a lot of penalties which disgusts me. A lot of holding calls... Renner threw a ton of picks. But I'm proud of this team week in and out because they stick with it and figure out how to keep it close."
What did you think of Bryn Renner's performance?
"I thought Bryn put together several drives that you could consider crucial and responsible for today's victory. I feel like Bryn needs to work on his decision making considerably though. We leave a lot of points on the boards because of this quarterback play, but on the other hand the quarterbacks on this roster have engineered some beautiful drives and have played extremely well in crunch time."
What happened to the running game?
"I don't know. It's something that I'll have to evaluate later on. It felt like Clemson was just too fast for us. They closed up holes very quickly and their pursuit angles were great. You have to give that defense a lot of credit for stopping Giovanni."
Next week is Wake Forest. What are some of the things you have noticed about them?
Well the most noticeable thing about Wake Forest is that they lack explosion on offense so that should help us out considerably (laughs). But really, we feel like we will get their best shot this next week. They have suffered some really rough losses this year but I think they are coached well enough and have a young nucleus that can come together and start clicking at any time."
__________________
Quote:
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.
ACC (Atlantic) Conference Standings - Updated: Oct 29, 2011
TEAM
REC
PCT
CONF
PF
PA
STRK
Florida State
6-1
.850
4-0
282
106
W4
Clemson
4-4
0.500
2-3
229
171
L1
NC State
5-2
0.710
1-2
234
138
W2
Boston College
2-5
0.280
1-3
156
175
L2
Wake Forest
2-5
0.280
1-4
121
192W1
L4
Maryland
2-5
0.280
0-4
159
187
L3
ACC (Coastal) Conference Standings - Updated: Oct 29, 2011
TEAM
REC
PCT
CONF
PF
PA
STRK
Virginia Tech
8-0
1.000
4-0
275
83
W8
North Carolina
6-2
0.750
4-0
287
176
W2
Duke
5-2
0.710
2-1
243
160
W1
Georgia Tech
6-2
0.750
3-2
245
144
L1
Miami
5-2
0.710
2-2
242
136
W1
Virginia
4-3
0.570
0-3
206
153
L2
With just five weeks left in the college football regular season we are seeing the ACC division races heat up quite bit. Virginia Tech has a moderately difficult schedule to keep their ranking as the number one team in the coastal secure.
@ Duke
@ GT
vs UNC
@ UVA
They control their destiny so if they win they are in.
North Carolina needs to win out as well to stand a chance at making it to the Conference Championship game. Their remaining schedule looks like this.
vs Wake
@ NCSU
@ #3 VT
vs Duke
On the Atlantic side, FSU has a firm 3 game grip on their division. They would need to really slide to lose their chance at the conference championship. This is their remaining schedule.
vs NCSU
@ BC
vs #22 Miami
vs UVA
@ #20 UF
Here is are the NCAA FBS Leaders on Offense.
NCAA Football Leaders - Updated: Oct 29, 2011
Passing Yards
Pass Yds
Passing Touchdowns
Pass TD
1. C. Keenum (Houston)
2637
1. C. Keenum (Houston)
23
2. L. Jones (Oklahoma)
2560
2. L. Jones (Oklahoma)
21
3. D. Persa (Northwestern)
2181
3. L. Thomas (Oregon)
20
4. N. Foles (Arizona)
2086
4. T. Bray (Tennessee)
20
5. T. Bray (Tennessee)
2051
5. S. Renfree (Duke)
20
Rushing Yards
Rush Yds
Rushing Touchdowns
Rush Tds
1. S. Ware (LSU)
1174
1. S. Ware (LSU)
14
2. M. Dyer (Auburn)
969
2. M. Coker (Iowa)
11
3. J. Ford (Illinois)
938
3. R. Aplin (Ark St.)
11
4. K. Barner (Oregon)
927
4. M. Ball (Wisc)
10
5. G. Greene (Navy)
889
5. S. Taylor (Stanford)
10
Receptions
Rec
Receiving Yards
Rec Yds
1. J. White (WMU)
80
1. K. Jorden (BGSU)
1003
2. K. Jorden (BGSU)
63
2. J. White (WMU)
972
3. R. Broyles (Oklahoma)
61
3. D. Jones (UNC)
942
4. R. Pollard (Hawaii)
60
4. L. Ambrose (ULM)
922
5. K. Bolden (Southern Miss)
57
5. J. Blackmon (Ok St)
902
Receiving Touchdowns
Rec Tds
Avg. Yards After Catch
Avg YAC
1. J. White (WMU)
12
1. J. Pedersen (Wisc)
11.9
2. K. Bolden (Southern Miss)
11
2. E. Landi (USF)
11.4
3. R. Broyles (Oklahoma)
10
3. C. Hamilton (Ark)
11.4
4. M. Floyd (Notre Dame)
10
4. C. Fleener (Stanford)
11.1
5. D. Jones (UNC)
10
5. K. Murry (Ark St)
11.1
And with the FBS leaders in mind, here is the Heisman Watch.
Heisman Watch - Updated: Oct 29, 2011
NAME
POS
SCHOOL
SEASON STATS
K. Barner
HB
Oregon
927 Yds Rush, 5.4 Avg, 10 Rush Tds
D. Wilson
HB
Virginia Tech
696 Yds Rush, 6.0 Avg, 9 Rush Tds
M. Ball
HB
Wisconsin
761 Yds Rush, 6.1 Avg, 10 Rush Tds
L. Thomas
QB
Virginia Tech
1768 Pass Yds, 20 Pass Tds, 5 Ints
S. Ware
HB
LSU
1174 Yds Rush, 5.7 Avg, 14 Rush Tds
__________________
Quote:
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons come to Raleigh to try and shock the college football world, but I wouldn't expect the North Carolina Tarheels to falter against this opponent. Wake Forest lacks speed and playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Quinton Coples and the Tarheel defense should be able to believe they will have this one easy.
UNC does have several prospects visiting this week. QB Greg Burnett, FS Maurice Rodriguez, OLB Will Gray, CB Greg Matthews, and FB Nick Anderson are all expected to attend. Greg Burnett has informed the media that he will make his announcement after the Tarheels finish with a victory.
It is a big week for the future of Tarheel football. 28-10.
__________________
Quote:
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.
Burnett visited North Carolina with the idea that he would commit after the Wake Forest Demon Deacons suffered a 31-3 loss so this one was no surprise. The young signal caller has prototypical size for a pro style offense , an above average arm, and enough accuracy to be effective at the college game.
He’s a hard worker though on the field, weight room, and during film sessions so you can almost bet that he will strive to become a better player and future starter for North Carolina. He’ll be the fourth quarterback on the roster when he steps onto the field for spring ball.
G. Matthews CB, 3 star
Greg Matthews has made it known that he will be attending UNC in the spring. The Michigan native is 6’2” and that number alone has helped him become the highly regarded cornerback prospect this year. He is not quite a burner, but he will be able to keep up with most receivers in a foot race. His hips are a little slow and his man coverage technique needs work, but all accounts of his work ethic have been positive. He is projected to be the 5th or 6th corner on the roster.
W. Gray OLB, 3 star
Will Gray is a tall linebacker standing at 6’4” and has a frame that he can build on from his current 223 lbs. He has good enough speed to cover the field, and has a great tackling technique. He will need to work on his strength and coverage skills to eventually see the field on a regular basis.
M. Rodriguez FS, 3 star
For a three star prospect, Maurice Rodriguez has been a heavily pursued player throughout his recruitment. He isn’t the fastest safety, and he will need to work on his coverage abilities, but he has great instincts and can lay the wood on receivers. Everyone projects him to be a starter for UNC one day as long as he can shore up the concerns about him.
N. Anderson FB, 1 star
Nick Anderson is fast for his size. He won’t be the greatest option to send in for the 4th down conversions, but his ability to receive out of the backfield could be a difference maker. His blocking will need polish, but he won’t be expected to make an impact until his junior year so he has time to grow.
__________________
Quote:
Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were where he could be and should be, and he will become what he could be and should be.
02-23-2012, 05:39 AM
