Carolina Quick Read: Week 6

Yes, moral victories are real.

Next up: at Georgia Tech, 4 p.m., Saturday (ACC Network)

Wrapping up the weekend

Mack Brown said there are no moral victories, but let's be honest: a two-point conversion to take the lead over Clemson with a minute remaining is as big a moral victory as there is in college football. Carolina is one of two teams to be tied with or lead the Tigers in the second half of game since they lost to Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff. 

It was easily the Tar Heels' best performance of the season and a glimpse of what they can be when they're locked in on the details and executing at a high level.

Takeaways

• What a day for the defense in holding Clemson to 331 yards, including limiting running back Travis Etienne to 67 yards on 14 carries. A great gameplan by defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, and even better execution by the Tar Heels.
• Chazz Surratt, playing his fifth game at linebacker, finished with seven tackles — one for loss — a sack, three hurries and two passes broken up. Just a phenomenal performance for a guy still learning the position.
• Sam Howell continues to look to Dyami Brown most of all his receivers, targeting him seven times on Saturday. Before his 40-yard touchdown catch, Brown got Howell's attention at the line and the QB trusted his receiver to make a play.
• Michael Carter and Javonte Williams were both efficient in the run game, helping the Tar Heels run for 146 yards on 36 carries. The numbers weren't huge, but both backs came through when they needed to.
• Third downs were better for the second straight game, with the Tar Heels converting 7 of 17 vs. Clemson. Over the past two games, Carolina is 14 for 33 on third downs after converting just 9 of 42 over the first three games.
• Punting was a weapon, as Ben Kiernan averaged 45 yards on seven punts, including a 63-yarder. Aside from a poor performance vs. Miami, the freshman was solid.
• Fans are getting their money's worth this season, with every Carolina game coming down to the final possession. No game has been decided by more than six points with a total scoring margin of -3. What a ride. 

About the Yellow Jackets

• Georgia Tech is in full-on rebuilding mode as the program transitions away from the option under new coach Geoff Collins.
• After a home loss to The Citadel and a 24-2 loss at Temple on Saturday, things aren't exactly rosy for the Yellow Jackets at the moment, but that wasn't unexpected this season.
• Tobias Oliver got the start at quarterback vs. Temple — his second of the season — while Lucas Johnson has also started two. James Graham has appeared in three games, and all three quarterbacks have posted similar numbers with limited passing attempts.
• Running the ball is still Georgia Tech's strength and Oliver (264 yards, 1 TD) and Jordan Mason (257 yards, 4 TD) have been most successful. 
• The offense ranks 127th nationally as the roster is largely built for the option, but attempting to play a more modern offense. It's a tough spot for players and coaches, but necessary as the program moves into the future.
• The Yellow Jackets' defense ranks 68th nationally, which is impressive considering its workload, as Georgia Tech ranks 122nd nationally in time of possession. 
• For everything that has gone wrong, they've been disciplined, ranking ninth nationally in penalty yardage.

In the Footprint

• Wake Forest goes into its open week at 5-0 and a good argument as the ACC's second-best team. Looking ahead, the Deacons should be favored to reach 9-0 before heading to Clemson on Nov. 16. 
• Duke set the Coastal ablaze with a 45-10 win over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Another wild and wacky night in college football's weirdest division, which begs the question: is Duke that good or are the Hokies that bad? We'll have more clarity this week.
• Virginia hung around for a half in South Bend, but turnovers cost the Hoos dearly as Notre Dame pulled away to win 35-20. A good measuring-stick game for Bronco Mendenhall's program, which still has plenty to be excited about at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the ACC headed to its open week.
• N.C. State's offense looked rough in a loss to Florida State, although Devin Leary provided a spark late and jumped into the quarterback battle. The Wolfpack get a week off to figure things out.

This week's schedule

Boston College (3-2, 1-1) at Louisville (2-2, 0-1), 12:30 p.m. (ACC Network Extra)
Virginia Tech (2-2, 0-2) at Miami (2-2, 0-1), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Pittsburgh (3-2, 0-1) at Duke (3-1, 1-0), 8 p.m. (ACC Network)

Around the nation

Thursday
Temple at East Carolina,  8 p.m. (ESPN)

Friday
No. 18 UCF at Cincinnati, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday
Utah State at No. 5 LSU, 12 p.m. (SEC Network)
No. 14 Iowa at No. 19 Michigan, 12 p.m. (FOX)
No. 7 Auburn at No. 10 Florida, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
No. 25 Michigan State at No. 4 Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
California at No. 13 Oregon, 8 p.m. (FOX)