FSU football: Three North Carolina weaknesses benefitting the Noles
By Kelvin Hunt
UNC Offensive Line
The UNC offensive line isn’t anything special this season, just as it wasn’t last year when a worse FSU defensive line had their way with them.
The Noles got to Sam Howell early and often, sacking him four times with eight tackles for a loss. UNC doesn’t have the offensive weapons they had last year, and most of their production comes from three players. Sam Howell (QB), Ty Chandler(RB), and Josh Downs(WR).
The Noles have shown the ability to stop the run effectively and have gotten pressure on opposing quarterbacks. North Carolina allowed 22 sacks (14.3 percent of pass plays) through five games this season. North Carolina is similar to Syracuse and Louisville, as all three teams use the QB as a large part of the running game.
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Howell has run more than last year and accounts for 36 percent of their rushing attempts. If the Noles can limit the run game, that should put North Carolina in predictable passing situations.
That’s an aspect FSU football has shown improvement in the last six quarters. Howell converts 3rd and 7+ 43 percent of the time, and the FSU secondary will need to have eyes on Josh Downs at all times.
He has no fewer than eight receptions in any game this season. If Howell runs a lot early, FSU needs to punish him in hopes of making him less effective in the running and passing game. He’s not exceptionally athletic and can get happy feet under pressure. FSU’s defensive line needs to create havoc if they want to have a shot in this game.