OFFICIAL WEATHER THREAD

Rich Starkey · Nov 27, 2020

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE

So, here we are. Back in the pre-season a lot of people around the country probably wouldn't have guessed that this would be the national game on ABC. Much is riding on the game for ND, and if you listened to Mack Brown this week, much is riding on the game for North Carolina in terms of national recognition. But, when I think of North Carolina athletics, I think of this.

Or, I just think of this.

It's going to be another one of those games where ND has a bullseye on their chests, and that's OK because there's something a little different about this team, and it reminds me of the tough physical ND teams that I watched growing up. I don't believe this team will be intimidated, and it certainly won't be intimidated by the crowd as most folks will be back in Mayberry and Mount Pilot watching the game at home. @DillonDomer2010 started a thread and he asked what are we thankful for regarding ND football? I saved my answer for today, and after the injury to Patterson, and Kraemer being out a few weeks, I'm thankful for the talent and depth along the O line. I have complete confidence in Josh Lugg because he's proven himself to be very capable. But what about Zeke Correll? His very first start and his only real playing time has come when the game was already wrapped up and the subs were in. I look at it this way. There were 2 other options at center, and there were 2 other options at guard, but the staff decided to put Zeke in. Must mean they have a bunch of confidence in him, and I'm going to side with the people that watch him in practice every day. Could the rest of the season possibly be an audition for Zeke? I would have to believe so especially since Patterson has some flexibility.

YOUR GAMEDAY FORECAST

Playing in the Carolina's still brings back bad memories.

However, it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day, and you can attribute that to local ND fan @RPMcMurphyyy not being able to get a ticket for the game. At kick-off it will be 65 degrees with mostly sunny skies, and winds out of the NNW at 7mph. By the 4th quarter expect the temperature to be at 59 degrees with clear skies and a light wind. The is no chance of rain.

While ND is on offense, I would expect North Carolina to sell-out and try to stop the run. They play multiple fronts, and I would expect them to crowd the LOS on early downs. I would like to see a little tempo today, and I say that because of a quote from a NC defender during the week. He said that "They like to huddle on offense and that's going to give us a chance to catch our breath."
The Tar Heels are not very big, and their depth along the front are mainly true freshmen, so I can see how this comment has some validity. Getting positive yardage, and making 3rd downs manageable, are the keys to success, and ND has done a good job of this all year. If Book and the receivers are on their game, then I don't see this defense stopping us.

Defensively, stop the run. We'll see the best RB tandem that we'll see all year, and ND needs to be good tacklers today. Make them one dimensional because their O line gives up some sacks, and if we can do that with 4 rushers, and contain Howell from taking off and running, then I don't see their receivers being good enough to consistently beat our secondary. I'd love for this defense to be in a position today where they don't have to bring Kyle Hamilton up around the LOS all day. He'll still be up there, but I'd rather it be not out of necessity.

Hope everyone has a great day, and for me, I'm going into work for a bit, and will be back in plenty of time to watch some of the earlier games. During the week, I called an emergency meeting of the Starkey family, and told them that we are waiting until Saturday to put up the tree. I don't win many (I don't win any), but this time I came out on top.

Good Luck Everyone

GO IRISH!

Silent Banjo · Nov 27, 2020