Reese’s Piece: The North Carolina Preview
It’s finally here. The game that all the ACC fans have been waiting on and the stakes are high for both teams. Clemson and North Carolina have worked hard to make it to the ACC championship and a playoff bid is only possible with a win.
I wanted to take a look at the matchup, some key players, and maybe even give an indicator on which team may come out on top.
Offense. QB Marquise Williams is an experienced senior leader who orchestrates the Tarheel offense with precision. At 6’2 225 pounds, he runs with power, uses his strong arm to make throws on the run, and is comfortable in the pocket. Williams is second to Deshaun Watson in total touchdowns and passing efficiency and is third in total offense in the ACC.
Nov 15, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) with the ball in the first half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
RB Elijah Hood has had a breakout year and his 1280 yards, 16 TDs only trails FSU’s Dalvin Cook in the ACC statistics. Hood lacks great speed but like Cook, he runs through arm tackles.
The Tarheels are led in receptions by WR Ryan Switzer with 49 but the star of the receiver group is 6’4 Max Hollins. The 5’10 Switzer is quick and 6’5 Bug Howard, 6’4 Quinshad Davis have size but Hollins is the most complete receiver on the team. He is a former walk on and he leads the ACC with a 25.8 yards per catch average. He is also the team leader in yards(670) and touchdown receptions(8).
Defense. Defensively UNC doesn’t have a lot of star power. The unit itself is ranked 3rd in scoring defense(20.8)and 5th in pass defense in the ACC.
Safety Donnie Miles leads the team in tackles with 99 and LB Shakeel Rashad is a close second with 98. Rashad is active and has a team leading 3 forced fumbles on the season.
Cornerback M.J. Stewart did make the All-ACC second team and his secondary partner Des Lawrence made the third team. Stewart has a team leading 4 interceptions and ranks first in ACC passes defended. Lawrence has 2 interceptions and ranks third in passes defended.
Special teams. WR Ryan Switzer is one punt return away from holding the NCAA record of eight in a career. Switzer has two TDs this season and averages 13.6 a return. RB T.J. Logan is also a dangerous kick returner with a 23.7 average per return.
This matchup of ACC titans has been broken down inside and out so, I won’t bore you with more of the same. I will only give my prediction based on what each has done statistically against common opponents. The average of offensive and defensive stats from these games gives an indication of what may happen tonight. With all other factors aside including score, home or away, weather, injuries, and turnovers, here is the breakdown of games against South Carolina, Ga. Tech, Wake Forest, Miami, and NC State.
Clemson offense.(averages)
Oct 10, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas (5) is brought down by a group of Clemson Tigers defenders during the second half at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
- Total 558.8
- Passing 306.0
- Rushing 252.8
UNC offense.
- Total 486.2
- Passing 222.4
- Rushing 263.8
Clemson defense.
- Total 263.8
- Passing 168.0
- Rushing 95.8
UNC defense.
- Total 412.0
- Passing 207.4
- Rushing 204.6
Clemson has a better average in every statistical category except rushing yards average against the teams. UNC rushed for 263.8 and Clemson had 252.8.
Defensively the Tigers were better in each game except last week against South Carolina. The Gamecocks who gave the Tarheels their only loss, had 402 total yards and in their win over UNC, 394. I also took the time to find out that both teams had more turnovers on average than the opponents. UNC had 1.6 to 1.2 and Clemson 2.4 to 1.6.
Sammie Gary with his wife LaDeva, and sons Josiah and Jayden in Raleigh to watch his Clemson Tigers.
As always anything can happen and other factors can determine the outcome of this game. But if you look at the averages, then the Clemson football team will be wearing the ACC championship belt tonight.
Other noteworthy stats. UNC is first in the ACC in 3rd down conversion offense and Clemson is 1st in 3rd down conversion defense. UNC has only given up 12 sacks and Clemson has sacked opposing quarterbacks 36 times.
Here’s another week to appreciate fans for supporting the Clemson team. Clemson defeated N.C. State 56-41 and Clemson alum Sammie Gary(Clemson 2000) was there with his family.
Courtney Tilton with her Dad watching Clemson defeat Florida State 23-13.
When the Tigers defeated ACC foe Florida State 23-13 to clinch the Atlantic division championship, Courtney Tilton was in attendance with her Dad who has been waiting for a season like this and for his Tigers to get another shot at a national championship.