Allowing only 108 total yards on the ground through their first two games, the UNC defense appears to be the toughest matchup the Hokies will face in the trenches, but as the saying goes, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.
For those first two games, the Tar Heels opponents were Syracuse and Boston College, which traditionally would be an impressive feat.
Syracuse, thus far, has played UNC, Pittsburgh (#2 ranked Rushing D) and Georgia Tech (24th from last). Now it may be that because they played UNC and Pitt that their running game is no good, or that because they played Syracuse that UNC and Pitt are so highly ranked. Ruling out sacks, UNC gave up 105 yards on 28 carries to the Orange. That figure also doesn't take into account scrambles that netted yards, so their is no clear sense on how many of those rushes were by design. Syracuse's top back, Sean Tucker, did not play in the UNC game and only toted the rock 4 times for 24 yards against the Panthers, before going off for a respectable 112 yards and 2 scores on 24 carries against the Yellow Jackets. Against the Panthers, Syracuse lost 41 yards on 7 sacks, which would have brought their numbers up a little more, to 92 yards. Against the Yellow Jackets, Syracuse netted 170 yards on 40 carries, minus the 1 sack. So taking sacks out of the equation, the true rushing average of Syracuse is 122.3 ypg, which puts them on par with Western Kentucky and just ahead of (*checks contact prescription, tries glasses, squints) LSU.
On to Boston College, surely the vaunted tough-nosed power running game that we all know and respect (hate, but respect). EEEEERRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHH, wrong. I'm guessing either they got the second coming of Doug Flutie, or they gave up on running the ball. Against the Tar Heels, BC threw the ball 56 times in a close 26-22 loss, compared to just 16 non-sack runs for 63 yards. In their outing against the powerhouse Texas State Armadillos Bobcats, Boston College called 25 running plays for 114 yards. Their other outing was against common opponent Duke, against whom the Hokies racked up 338 yards, not counting 2 sacks for 14 yards. How did the Eagles do? Well, they committed to running the ball 36 times for 116 non-sack yards. Factoring in all of their games, Boston College is averaging 97.7 ypg, just ahead of Missouri.
So, against all opponents, UNC's opponents have averaged 110 yards on the ground which means their opponents average exactly (my vision must be messed up badly) Bama. Is their rushing defense good? I have no idea, their opponents have been garbage to this point.
How good is Virginia Tech's rushing attack? Herbert's 208 yards against Duke was more than they gave up to any team this year, including UVA or Notre Dame. His 104 yards against NC State was more than they gave up to Pittsburgh and the Hokies doubled the rushing output against the Wolfpack that Wake gained.
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I'm taking a "wait and see" approach. It has been so great to see us run the ball!! And, there are two games of film out on us now. I really hope Hooker is up to speed and ready to go. I feel better about his ability to win with his arm if that is needed.
Go Hokies!
To be clear, I think you are offering really important context re: UNC's run defense.
Well done, 07!
Its probably a little of both, bad rushing teams and above average run defense. BC may not have run the ball much due to the run defense being the strength of UNC's D
Whether we have success or not, I would guess we will try to run the ball a fair amount to control the clock and protect our offense. I am very interested to see how effective the run game will be with Hooker at the wheel, and also how effect our passing game can be with both Hooker and a credible run game. Should be fun.
With the start UNC has had this year, at least next week they'll still be able to brag that their rush defense only allows 145 yards per game. That's not bad...
It's not just Herbert's numbers that count, so it'll be more along the lines of 222 per game. They'll still brag but they won't give actual numbers.
UNC gives pretend numbers on everything. It's a long tradition started by the math department when grading athlete test scores.
^^ This needs to go argyle. ^^
I think you mean plaid. Argyle is for those pricks north and east of us.
Nope. Argyle.
Ah - remember, it is not JUST athletes' test scores. Important nuance. It has to be EVERY student's test scores so as not to show athletes got special treatment!
My aunt went to UNC. We usually tease each other. She was on the swim team there, possibly on scholarship, so I teased her about her fake education and she got REALLY mad. She was like "I worked hard for my education" (which I totally believe, knowing her), and got the sense she resented what had happened because it cheapened her education.
I did consulting work at UNC for a couple of years. Trust me, they don't resent what happened and they don't believe it cheapened their education.
I was only saying what my aunt told me. She wasn't portraying it as any more than it being her own view. It's how she felt, that's it. But she has morals and stuff (I'd argue that she probably chose the wrong school for that, but she wouldn't have known it at the time). And I'd guess that if someone didn't take the fake classes, you probably do get a pretty good education from there (even though it makes me feel sick to my stomach saying that).
Doesn't sack yardage come off of passing totals? I think you're giving more credit than is due to those absolutely horrific rushing offenses.
Nope, sacks are negative rushing yards for the qb in college. The NFL treats them as team yardage and not QB rushing yards
The bottom line is that UNC is a significant step up in competition. I think we'll find out a whole lot about our OL this weekend.
Posted in the other thread, but relevant here too:
I think a few quick hitters and screens will have them abandoning that quick fast and in a hurry, or as they will be using their entire DL 2 deep, Herbert has a field day in the second half.
Am I reading that right?
A starting DB from the #9 team in the country is entering the portal?
I looked into it and he was ruled academically ineligible after the first game.
Academically ineligible for UNC?
That's a tough way to lose a free college education.
Drinking in solidarity
Fixed that a bit...lol. Seriously, though, how does an athlete become ineligible at UNC...did he actually turn in an assignment or attempt to learn?? For shame!
At the graduate level? It means he did literally nothing. He did no work at all to get declared ineligible that quickly.
It boggles the mind, doesn't it?
Curiously, few at UNC are actually boggled by this.
In my dreams it was Grimes failing PE
At UNC? Holy shit that's impressive.
Mack must be livid that they screwed up the eligibility scam he set up in the 90s
Does that usually mean they go to a D2 school for a year or two? Or an easier school and redshirt to get grades up? I mean, how do you get academically ineligible at UNCheat? Is that even a thing?
This would be a great week to get Blackshear in the slot running the Jet Sweep action. We need the DL and LBs moving laterally to open up the Inside Zone that KH loves so much.
I'm imagining lining up QP4 as a WR, send Blackshear in motion on a jet sweep, but it a reverse to Quincy with Gallo, Herbert, QB1 and the OL blocking out in front.
I'm liking this thinking
Could be a good afternoon for Big Play Tre. He's due for a some big catches.
Bear front against us? Bring in a 6th OL and mash it down their throats.
Is the nose guard for nc as good as ncst? 76 manhandled that dude as well the interior of duke. We haven't had a big dog, and by that I mean a Clemson-bama level lineman like Hoffman since teller, and he was haunted by occasional ill-advised penalties whereas Hoffman looks to be all businesss. When you have a guy that solid in the middle, they will likely have to pack it inside - tre should be good on the jet sweep and tavion in space in the flats should be successful. Up the gut with horizontal stretch should be the answer.
On d it could be a long afternoon.
This is the kind of issue that the ACC takes seriously. Obviously UNC can't have a disadvantage, so expect referees to be very diligent on calling holding. Even if it doesn't exist. /s
If our OL hogs beat their DL hogs, then JUICE will rack up the run yds. Go #VICEsquad !!! 💪🦃
Especially if UNCheat is without Raymond Vohasek. I didn't realize it but their D-line is YOUNG. Vohasek is one of two juniors (no seniors) and everybody else are freshmen and sophomores. I feel a little bit better about being able to run the ball Saturday. Our O-line should be able to open some holes.
I swear we have had multiple RBs that we try calling Juice. It must be the least original nickname in football. So many Juices!
Where's the obligatory "that's what she said" gif?!