UNC’s defense last season was in many ways a Rorschach test on the larger Belichick experiment. Some fans, giddy that the coach synonymous with winning had accepted the UNC job, were ecstatic and saw defensive improvement at every turn. Other fans, dubious about a coach who fell flat on his face the last two years in New England, were horrified at the number of times opponents marched up and down the field on the Tar Heels.
Much of that defensive unit graduated or transferred, and now it’s time to see what the defense looks like in its second year of install. The sports books have TCU a 7.5 point favorite with a total of 47.5, which implies the expectation of a final score around 28-20. The books also expect TCU, with new QB Jaiden Craig and new offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis, to generate 398.5 yards.
One school of thought sees a QB in TCU’s Craig who’s never faced FBS competition, let alone a P4 team, let alone one coached by a coach with a reputation for defensive genius. That school sees a dominant defensive performance as a bewildered Craig doesn’t know what hit him. Another school of thought sees a defense minus a defensive coordinator with three new starters in the secondary and a lot of green players behind the starters in every position group. That school sees a befuddled defense a step behind all game.
What do you think of those numbers for UNC? Will TCU exceed 28 points? Will UNC’s defense hold the Horned Frogs below 400 yards? Will the UNC defense against TCU be amazing? Or toast?
