UNC returns to the AP Top 25 at #23 following the Heels’ fourth straight win. UNC started the season at #22 in the poll but was dropped after losing to Georgia Tech in Week 4. Of course that loss was followed by the dark ages of the 2009 season with the inexplicable egg laid against UVa then the 2nd half meltdown versus FSU. Since then the Heels have been impressive to watch, especially on defense. Well actually, almost exclusively on defense though I do have warm fuzzy memories of the offense during the Virginia Tech and Duke games.
In terms of the bowl picture, UNC is still a possibility for the Chick-fil-a Bowl but even that might be a long shot. The Chick-fil-a Bowl picks 2nd with the Gator 3rd, Champs 4th and Car Bowl 5th. The first order of business is cold, vicious, satisfying vengeance on NC State at Carter Finley. Assuming the Heels do that and the rest of the ACC games go as expected here is what the lineup overall standings in the ACC could look like.
1. Georgia Tech 7-1
2. Clemson 6-2
3. Virginia Tech 6-2
4. UNC 5-3
5. Miami 5-3
6. Boston College 5-3
7. FSU 4-4
And here is the same assumption except UNC loses to NCSU(provided for mojo purposes)
1. Georgia Tech 7-1
2. Clemson 6-2
3. Virginia Tech 6-2
4. Miami 5-3
5. Boston College 5-3
6. FSU 4-4
7. UNC 4-4
So quite a bit needs to shake out here. First of all who wins the ACC Championship game influences how the rest of this unfold. If Clemson wins then the Tigers go to the Orange Bowl. That would slot Georgia Tech in 2nd and in line for the Chick-Fila Bowl. However the Yellow Jackets were pummeled in that bowl game last season and a 2nd straight trip might not be desirable for all parties. In the scenario Georgia Tech might end up in the Gator Bowl leaving the Chick-Fila Bowl to choose between UNC, VT and Miami. The Boston College rule permits bowls to move down one spot in the standings so they could skip VT and opt for UNC, especially since VT played in Atlanta to lead off the season. If Clemson loses the ACC title game then the Tigers will go to Atlanta leaving the Gator, Champs and Car Bowl to sort it out between VT, UNC and Miami. If that is the case UNC could sneak past the Hokies for the Gator Bowl though that will be a tough sell given Hokie Fan’s reputation of traveling. No matter what, should UNC beat NCSU I do not see them falling further than the Champs Sports Bowl which selects fourth.
Should UNC lose then they would end up with a 4-4 ACC mark and in the mix with FSU and BC for the 5-7 bowl bids which are the Car Bowl, Music City Bowl and Emerald Bowl. I am guessing UNC would end up in the Music City Bowl since it is in Nashville which would be close enough for fans to travel to the game. I doubt the Car Bowl takes UNC for a 2nd straight season though the game would completely sell out so that might be tempting to jump on in this economy. Worse case scenario is the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco which would actually be a great game if USC ends up in the game by finishing 4th 0r 5th in the Pac 10.
All that being said, there is business to finish. The Heels have a date with State and it is now time to put 41-10 to rest.
![[Bloglines]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/bloglines.png)
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[MySpace]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Technorati]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://www.tarheelfanblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
You know what they say about assumptions. This is our super bowl, sadly, so we’ll bring all guns to bear on y’all for sure so Butch can go 0-for-O’Brien since both coaches joined the ACC.
I have no doubts y’all will be fired up for this game, though, so I expect a battle.
To be honest, I had hopes for acc championship at beginning of season. So the GT loss was a big blow to me. Then after the UVA loss and FsU debacle, I was devastated. So, to be in the discussion of a higher bowl bid is a big positive at this point. And two years of the discussion onl makes the anticipation for a stronger run next year with many of the pieces returning on both sides of the ball.
James,
I gave proper nod to the possibility of losing as not to put the proverbial cart before the horse.
Whatever happened to the tire bowl? How the heck did Wake Forest beat Stanford (well, bad officiating) and NC State beat Pittsburgh?
If the 1997 and 1981 seasons were better than this year, can someone name me another year where UNC football outperformed to this extent? If Mike Paulus had been able to be as good as we hoped and this team had not had all the injuries, honestly, we might be looking at something really, really special.
Of course, this is still college football, so nobody really knows. We might not be any better than the University of South Carolina.
So the AP poll has us at #23 and the real USC at #24. When was the last time we were ranked higher than SoCal in football?!
William, how about Yates performing as we’ve come to expect him to while the trio of receivers were here. Then allowing 16 pts to UVA would’ve been a W and the FSU desaster probably wouldn’t have happened…
I’d be happy with a Gator or Champs (I’m assuming that we don’t get chick fila), satisfied with the Car bowl, and excited about a matchup with USC at the Emerald. So, I like my chances of feeling good for the bowl season.
Not sure if I can handle all the PJ love spewing over from my yellow jacket brother in law during Thanksgiving dinner though…
Just beat State.
1. Beat State
2. ^How’d last T-day go last year
3. william – please never equate us with those gamecocks. I agree though in fb it would be a struggle, I think we would win, be nice to see them in Atlanta.
what 850 said.
i dont even care about a bowl.
I thought this team had given up after the UVa game, to the extent that I forgot to even watch the FSU game. The win against VPI was sublime and they have just kept on. I do think UNC should have the resources to be the best team in North Carolina. Wake and State have come down to earth, while Duke and UNC are on the uprise. It will obviously be a disappointment now to lose to State. I don’t follow their program so I don’t know what has happened there.
Is State dangerous as a team that beat Pitt and should have beaten South Carolina or has something happened to their morale or scheme that makes them no longer tough?
State’s given up 43 ppg over their last 6, and Russell Wilson is no longer perfection personified.
I don’t care much for this being the best team in the state in the business. Just because TOB threw that red meat out to his fan base doesn’t mean we have to eat it too. State Championships are for high school teams.
The Heels were embarrassed last year and there have been some statements by the players that they had the State game circled the calender.
Yep, I agree with the position that a bowl is bittersweet unless the Heels go into Carter-Finley and take names.
I don’t think we have a shot at the Chick-fil-a Bowl. As recently as last week, the bowl’s official blog had a short list of Clemson, GT, Miami and VT. Ignoring the fact that we beat the last half of that shortlist, I can’t imagine they’d pass on the title game loser. Clemson fans would have a short drive and travel in droves already and, even though GT played there last year, I can’t imagine the bowl would pass on a potentially 11-2 team from Atlanta.
At this point, IF we win at CFS, I’d like to hope we could be Gator Bowl bound for the first time since the 97-98 season, but I’d expect a trip to Tennessee.
I am not talking about any mythical championship in the state of North Carolina. What I said was that UNC should have the best program in the state, meaning as an ongoing program, something we did have from approximately 1972 to 1987 or thereabouts.
Defense wins games, just like they did in 1981. Let’s hope the defense takes care of business against Wilson and the Pack on Saturday and some semblance of an offense shows up for the game. Despite the OL injuries, I am still amazed at the lack of talent Davis has at the offensive skill positions and we can only hope Bryn Renner can change that next year. The offensive schemes are looking very predictable of late which is why we need at least 17-20 points from the offense to insure a win each week. Yates is ok in the pocket but has to roll out to get time to throw and that’s when his accuracy falters.
It will take some luck but to finish 10-3 with a win over a Big Ten team in Orlando will be a great accomplishment. If Shoop has better talent to work with next year and some health on the OL, UNC could be a top ten program next year.
Go Heels!
Peach would be nice (I have fond memories of shutting up the Mississippi State fans and their damn cowbells) but I’d be happy with Gator, Champs or Music City. What is more important in my mind is getting those extra practices in December, especially for the young players who will have to step up in 2010.
william, you’re not the only one wondering how in the hell State beat Pitt. Pitt has to be kicking themselves, esp. since State imploded after that game.
Leroy, this year I returned the $50 I won last year. I didn’t talk much last year at t-giving dinner cuz we had stumbled but this year’s GT team is something else…