USATSI_13453202 — Nell Redmond - USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Gameday: How the Tar Heels can win at Georgia Tech and what Saturday's result means

Will Mack Brown have players or hamburger-eaters show up in Atlanta?

Author:
Brant Wilkerson-New
Updated:
Oct 5, 2019 9:59 AM EDT

Carolina (2-3, 1-1) at Georgia Tech (1-3, 0-1)

Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta

4 p.m., ACC Network (PxP: Wes Durham; Analyst: Roddy Jones; Sideline: Tom Eric Wood)

Carolina game notes | Georgia Tech game notes | Series History

BetOnline odds: Carolina -10 | O/U: 48.5

The Two-Sentence Drill

Finally, a chance to exhale for the Tar Heels? Heavily favored for the first time this season, Carolina could head into an open week on a high-note if it shows up motivated and takes care of business in Atlanta.

Carolina can win if...

Mack Brown's message after Wednesday's practice was received. When a Hall of Fame coach airs his grievances in public, it had better wake up a few players.
The Tar Heels come out with the same type of energy they've had against teams they knew had more talent.
The defense shows up with the same level of focus it had against Clemson. It was the best performance of the season in terms of leverage and tackling, with Carolina's players sticking to their assignment rather than trying to make superstar plays.
Run the ball early and often, and the Tar Heels could have two running backs top the 100-yard mark as the Yellow Jackets rank 128th nationally in rushing defense.

Carolina won't win if...

It shows up expecting to go through the motions and still come out with a victory. The Tar Heels have shown they're good enough to win this one handily, but they've definitely shown they can lose it, too.
The Option is football's great equalizer, and it only takes a few missed assignments to send things in the wrong direction. Carolina had issues handling its assignments against Appalachian State and paid dearly.
Carolina is near its breaking-point with injuries. With so many significant contributors already out, the loss of a few more starters would be devastating.

What would a win mean for Carolina?

The Tar Heels made it to the open week, and they made it at 3-3. Not nearly as good as it could have been, but better than most would have expected in August.

No team has ever needed an open week more than this one, with one emotionally exhausting game after another for a thin roster that has suffered more than its share of injuries.

At 2-1 in ACC play, Carolina would control its own destiny in the Coastal Division.

What would a loss mean for Carolina?

A devastating step back for the Tar Heels, going from taking Clemson to the final offensive play to losing to a Georgia Tech team expected to finish last in the Coastal.

After a 2-0 start, a four-game losing streak into the open week would sting and seriously derail the momentum the program had picked up.

Not only would the result sting, but it would follow an alarming trend of not showing up to play against teams Carolina feels it should beat.