Carolina Gameday: Week 3 vs. Wake Forest

Carolina (2-0) at Wake Forest (2-0)

BB&T Field, Winston-Salem

6 p.m., ESPN

PxP: Adam Amin; Analysts: Matt Hasselbeck and Pat McAfee; Sideline: Molly McGrath

Carolina game notes | Wake Forest game notes | Series History

BetOnline Spread: Wake Forest -3 | O/U: 66.5

The Two-Sentence Drill

Two games, two fourth-quarter comebacks for the surprising Tar Heels, and for the third straight week, they'll be underdogs. Get ready for a track meet in Winston-Salem with two exciting offenses squaring off in an innovative nonconference matchup.

Carolina can win if...

Obligatory line about a fourth-quarter comeback with an uber-efficient Sam Howell and a few acrobatic catches along the way. That recipe seems to be working.
The defense doesn't try to do too much, and that starts up front. If Aaron Crawford and Jason Strowbridge can generate the type of pressure they've gotten in the first two games, linebackers and safeties won't get caught with their eyes in the backfield.
The running game will have to be better than it was with 97 yards on 36 carries (2.7 YPC) against Miami in order to control the tempo. Carolina wants to play fast, but not as fast as the 106 plays the Deacons ran up in their first game as few defenses can survive that workload.
The Deacons are going to put Trey Morrison and Greg Ross on islands and make them defend their big receivers. Both have played well to this point, but it only takes one mistake to change the game.
Wake Forest isn't going to hurt itself with penalties and unforced errors, having committed just six for 53 yards on the season. Carolina will be as close to perfect as it was last week with just one penalty for five yards.

Carolina won't win if...

It starts believing all of the nice things people are writing and saying about it. Mack Brown has been clear that he's using the underdog storyline to keep the Tar Heels motivated.
Linebackers and safeties try to do any more than what Jay Bateman is asking of them. One slip-up leads to two when a teammate believes someone won't be in the gap they're supposed to be fitting. Things can snowball fast for a defense.
The Tar Heels have to maintain defensive balance. If Wake Forest can force an opponent to commit an extra defender to the box or remove one to help stop the pass, the Deacons will take advantage time and again.
Special teams aren't firing on all cylinders. Kick coverage was much-improved vs. Miami, but punting was poor, averaging just 27.5 yards per kick. Field position will matter even more against a kicker like Nick Sciba, who was 19/22 last season, hitting both attempts from 40+ yards. He's 3/3 so far this season,

What would a win mean for Carolina?

The dream start continues at 3-0, in direct contrast to what many felt would be a 3-0 start for the Tar Heels.

Brown makes a big deal of the mythical state championship both publicly and with his team, and this would prove that not only is his message resonating, but Carolina won't need time to catch its fellow Big Four programs.

After landing fifth among teams receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll last week, the Tar Heels would have to be on the cusp of a ranking. And halfway to bowl eligibility. Whoa.

It would also set up yet another fun week and massive in-state matchup with Appalachian State set to visit Chapel Hill on Sept. 21.

What would a loss mean for Carolina?

Reality finally hits for the Tar Heels, but it sure was a fun start.

In the big picture, there's really nothing that will dampen the spirits of Carolina fans after the way things have started this season. Two wins match last season's win total and there's plenty of reason to believe a bowl game is possible this season.

This is a nonconference matchup, so it won't hurt in the Coastal Division race, but Brown would certainly be disappointed with dropping a Big Four matchup and losing that capital with recruits.

Pregame reading

For Howell and the Tar Heels, it's been all about the finish in every phase

Preseason shuffle at center a blessing in disguise as Brian Anderson takes over

Tar Heels don't talk much about the past, but perception is helping to shape present motivation

Patrice Rene mentored Trey Morrison and Greg Ross. Now, they'll try to do him proud as UNC's top cornerbacks

Jace Ruder hasn't played this season, but his coaching, enthusiasm have been invaluable for Tar Heels

Bateman press conference highlights: respect for Newman, Deacs; praise for Morrison, Fox

Longo press conference highlights: pleased with UNC's focus vs. Miami; looking for better short-yardage execution vs. Wake Forest

Mack Brown press conference highlights: excited about 2-0 start, impressed with Wake Forest's discipline; wants more physicality

Mack Brown Wednesday update: Heels embracing the process and relishing underdog role; happy to build depth at linebacker

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