What: AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl
Where: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
When: Monday, December 26th, 5:00 PM
TV: ESPN2
Records: UNC 7-5; Missouri 7-5
The official end of the Butch Davis era.
The question facing UNC heading into this game is not so much how the Heels match-up with Missouri but one of focus and preparation. It is a legitimate concern when you consider all that has gone on in the past month. UNC has named a new head coach effectively ending the tenure of the current staff. The whirlwind surrounding that the fact the current staff have had an eye on where they will land next is bound to raise a question or two on just how focused the preparation has been for this bowl game. Not to mention the game is in Shreveport, LA which is hardly a destination you dream of playing at when the season begins.
On the flip side, you have the players who know they are returning next year undoubtedly thinking about playing for Larry Fedora next season. Fedora, who led Southern Miss to a 24-17 win over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve will likely be watching this game just to see what kind of hand he’s been dealt. Players like Dwight Jones and Quinton Coples are thinking about the NFL Draft and turning in a solid performance in this game. There is plenty of motivation to go around in sending the seniors and the coaches off in a blaze of victorious glory.
Such is the pitfall of bowl games. Due to the long layoff and circumstances surrounding the game, you never know which team will show up. This goes for Missouri too, except the Tigers are not dealing with the same issues of staff and program upheaval. In UNC’s case, you hope a motivated, well prepared team comes out and takes care of business.
Regarding the actual match-up of these two teams on football terms, it strikes me as a fairly even one. Missouri has a strong run game which can be countered by UNC’s front seven. Missouri’s defense is average at best which should give Gio Bernard, Bryn Renner and Dwight Jones a shot at putting some points on the board. The real concern from UNC’s perspective is Missiouri QB James Franklin who passed for over 2700 yards and threw 20 TDs vs 10 INTs. In fact Renner and Franklin are 41st and 42nd nationally in passing. Given how poorly UNC’s pass defense has played this season, facing a competent QB is not a recipe for winning. In essence, UNC probably need to get the offense cooking and hope for some opportunistic takeaways to balance the scales.
UNC is playing for a fourth straight eight win season which is the perfect end to an era which had so much promise but ended up being fairly average.
UNC 28 Missouri 25
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I’m not as optimistic. UNC 17 Missouri 14
I heard through an interview one of our stations did with a Mizzou journalist is that there seems to be no excitement from them to play in this game at all. He himself said he’s not going to the game since Shreveport has been a pretty frequent destination for Mizzou recently.
There are two things I’m hoping for to lead to a UNC victory today; first, that the players are keyed up to send Withers and co. off with a big win, and that Withers and co. are keyed up to actually coach this game. I know these guys are supposed to be professionals, but I often wonder if coaches who know they’re going to get let go after the game are a little more apathetic. In other words, will we see good John Shoop playcalling or completely incompetent John Shoop because he knows he’ll be looking for a job again soon?
I’m hoping Coples and Jones use this game to springboard their draft stock and play huge. Jones should have a good game since Mizzou’s secondary is almost equal in quality to ours, and the same journalist said the offensive coaching staff will have fits trying to neutralize Coples and the rest of the front seven. If the secondary can hold and Shoop calls a good game, I don’t see why UNC can’t win this game…..and win it by a lot.
And, might I add, in the most surprising prediction of all, a certain ACC Blogger on ESPN who only gives positive coverage to Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and F$U, has picked Missouri.
what if they had a bowl game and no one came…
Mizzou going four and five wide…..let’s not use a nickel a dime package or anything…..looks like Withers and co have mailed this season in already.
Wow….uninspiring effort so far after one quarter. Chalk another lackluster performance against an opponent we should be beating.
The prediction is Missouri scores 25? Huh?
Are they flying home at halftime?
First quarter is an example of the entire season. Play this drinking game. Drink every time announcers say “wide open” “secondary caught off guard”, or “Carolina caught guessing”.
You’ve got 3 drinks in you already.
There’s no reason to think our D staff’s “strategy” will have us seeing the lead again today.
Missouri 4/4 on 3rd down, regardless of distance. Only Tiger butterfingers will give us a shot.
Oh and 46 degrees and rain? The school owes any fan who went to this thing three full years of season tickets.
So much for the NFL level talent on this defense…..I hope Urban Meyer teaches Withers the concept of looking at gametape at Ohio State. No one at UNC did their homework…..again. These clowns can’t leave Chapel Hill fast enough.
Meyer can’t really be thinking of letting Withers wear a headset..no way.
Maybe the team could just pretend it’s 4th quarter in the Miami or Georgia Tech games already and give us a reason to keep watching?
Let’s see what garbage Shoop pulls out of the playbook on this series….
It kinda hurts to watch a defense with this level of talent play such uninspired football.
Maybe the team could pretend we’re playing ECU….right now, they look more like they’ve re-created the NC State game.
More outstanding blocking from this sissy offensive line….
Anybody seriously believe this oline can run block in the spread. Or block in the spread at all
Just wow….what the hell are these idiots doing up front? A pillow fight?
If I’m Fedora, I’m reconsidering…..he’s getting a team scared of contact like a cat is scared of water.
Rdenn, or block at all….
2nd and 16 might as well be 3rd and 1.
Oh wait, it is.
Think lipford and moss are really hurt or taking a hint from the coaches and just giving up.
I hate to even be able to ask that previous question.
No one looks like they care….players or coaches……why should the fans?
Should I even ask who was supposed to cover him? I hope Withers and co banded in their keys already…..I wouldn’t even let them back on campus.
We suck guys it’s that simple. We have so many guys who are talented but nobody gives a damn right now and this is flat out embarrassing. We deserve to get killed with this effort. Let’s start over fresh next year.
That was adorable how the color guy tried to put a positive spin on our imaginary 3rd down stop there.
Wide open, by the way.
I just hope no injuries are serious today. To lose millions of dollars playing in 45-degree wet Shreveport on December 26th? Wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
Good luck, guys.
Game over. Season over. And the Butch Davis era is over (almost…)
Ohio State better not let Withers do any of the playcalling or gameplanning or its going to be a long time before they are good again.
I know the secondary is under-manned and banged up but could somebody be close when a receiver is that open in that small a space.
Looky, it’s an “agony of defeat” highlight reel moment!
You know I have no respect for Ohio St and big ten football in general so I hope that withers is given carte Blanche for his next job.
Draft stock tumbling….scouts tend to frown on nit being able to catch a ball in traffic, or not even knowing where the ball is. Of course, when you only have ONE receiver getting separation from defenders and that’s the only one we can throw to, then he’s going to have three defenders around him all the time.
Missouri had players that are even overlooked by lowly Kansas….the problem is that their drunk coach actually knows how to gameplan with what’s around him….we haven’t had that since Mack Brown.
this is why we should have turned down any offer to go bowling. We are playing like we don’t deserve to be here. Oh wait we don’t.
3rd and 13 turns into 3rd and 1.
3rd and 13?
Yardage is the candy and UNC D is the baby.
Out hustled, out coached, and emberassing. This program just sucks. I hope Butch and his stooge on the sidelines are happy.
I thought our dline was supposed to be a strength. I’ve seen Chinese men get more penetration
What did we do in practice all week? Did we even have any practices?
So who’s feeling worse about what they are seeing right now? Larry Fedora or Urban Meyer?
Being called out on national TV by ESPN’s 23rd string announcing crew.
Sorry, guys, too embarrassing for me. Gotta go.
Alright the young guyss showing the potential that gives us false hope heading into each year
Wow….can’t even run it in from three yards out? That’s showing confidence in your NFL sized offensive line…..
Six white jerseys on Blue….who was blocking them????
HTTE,
Your handle makes that comment comically ironic.
If this is how Wither’s defends against the spread, I think Fedora will do alright when the ‘Heels play tOSU.
UNC…..making bad teams good since…..well, ever.
I know!
Why is a NC highway patrolman escorting Withers around Shreveport?
Look at the bright side, we’d kill Missouri in basketball…
Meyer surely is looking at negating any contract signed by the clown on UNC’s sideline.
Who exactly makes this defense “highly touted”?
This game proves what has been happening all year. Heels cant stop anything.
Deepenwide,
arrested development?
If he has any jurisdiction in Shreveport he should arrest him for failure to coach…
Seriously does anyone know who is picking up that guys tab?
it was easier than pinning a note to Withers’ shirt in the event he got lost, which he clearly has.
there are more people on this blog than in Independence Stadium.
Well, I know some Michigan fans happy Withers is going to Ohio State…..
Does Fedora have anyone he’s bringing anyone on his staff coming over who can coach tackling?
if everyone at Independence Stadium rushes the field, there is no chance of injury.
if everyone at Independence Stadium rushes the field, they would all fit in one squad car.
if everyone at Independence Stadium rushes the field, they could all receive a complimentary referee’s shirt. and still have 2 left over.
judging by that 2nd half interview, Withers missed the 1st half.
“The question facing UNC heading into this game is not so much how the Heels match-up with Missouri but one of focus and preparation.”
OK, we know the answer to that.
“On the flip side, you have the players who know they are returning next year undoubtedly thinking about playing for Larry Fedora next season.”
The better question is whether they should be playing for ANYONE next season, and the answer is no.
“There is plenty of motivation to go around in sending the seniors and the coaches off in a blaze of victorious glory.”
There is no visible motivation whatever.
I know I will again be the lone dissenter, and be accused of being negative, put we can all see what’s going on out there. We never should have been in this or any bowl to begin with. Our season’s performance fell well short of meriting post-season play. But, for the woefully inadequate reasons of squeezing out a few more bucks, and “practicing” for a new season that won’t begin for nine months (and then with an entirely new staff and approach); and for the “excitement” of playing in an anonymous bowl before a non-existent audience, we said, “Sure, sign us up.”
As is clear, the players didn’t actually give a hoot, nor should they have. Withers has already signed up to make his money elsewhere, and that’s exactly what this looks like. Anyone disagree with that?
Is this allegedly invaluable “practice” for a month worth the humiliation Carolina is taking now? Is it worth exposing ourselves as a mediocre-at-best team with no fight and no spirit?
Not to me it’s not.
In order to earn post-season play, you have to — how shall I say? — EARN it. We didn’t, and we are playing as if we knew this fact all along.
Maybe next year we’ll learn about E-A-R-N-I-N-G a bowl berth, maybe even, dare I say it, a legitimate bowl rather than this thing. If we can’t play like we’re interested, perhaps at least we can learn from our humiliation.
with a mere 30 minutes of football left, Shoop is gonna be ALL kinds of clever, folks. look out! i’m thinking dance number.
I guess we should have all expected Withers and company to mail it in after Fedora was hired…….but I thought that some of these players would have shown a little more fight in them.
Ladies and gentlemen, that was an all ACC guard missing a block.
excellent block on that screen, Cooper.
if you were meaning to block that pocket of air 5 yds from the defender.
Wow… late coming in from work. Score looks 3 to 1. Better buck up if they want to win their bowl!
there were more UNC linemen standing around at the end of that play than fans in the stands.
You would think that after watching Bernard and Renner getting murdered ever other play that tue offensive line would start getting pissed on getting beat every play.
HTTE, for the record, you make games like these enjoyable.
credit where credit is due.
to Mr Smirnoff, and Mr Tonic.
“Oh and 46 degrees and rain? The school owes any fan who went to this thing three full years of season tickets.”
Is that a reward or punishment? I can’t find any irony in that comment.
So the game isn’t going well, there’s going to be a really cool party next weekend in Greensboro.
“Hi and thanks for taking the time and interest to spend a few minutes with me, I really appreciate it…I hope I was able to clear up some things for you, and I want to thank you very much for your interest and for listening.”
And so the Butch Davis era ended…with scandal and embarrassment on the field.
Fedora says we should buckle our seatbelts.
Withers thinks we shouldnt change out of our Snuggies.
Wasn’t me coach….I wasn’t even blocking.
Fedora must be thinking spread? These guys can’t even block!
yeah thats it. It was the half time speech : )
Missouri’s offense is the Kendall Marshall of 10+ yd gains.
or do we get the assist on those?
nice illegal block of a defender nowhere near your QB.
bless his heart.
meanwhile, in Indiana, its Psycho T time!
update on the NC trooper. It’s punishment for not making hos quota.
long pass to absolutely nobody… three defenders out there!!!!
now I see why Fedora acted surprised to hear we have a 1000yd tailback and a upcoming junior QB. its because it DOESNOT matter to him. the SPREAD is the great EQUALIZER in College football. for a team that cant recruit NFL talent, then recruit a bunch of 5’10″ guys that can run like rabbits and SPREAD the field forcing the NFL talent to run for their lives on every down. odds are you will win cause they cant keep up. Renner will NOT be our starting QB under fedora. all HAIL the SPREAD.
any word on injuries?
Guys just remember this is the last game of John Shoop.
should we thank him for the memories?
Can i get one more “aj blue wildcat formation blown up 10 yard loss” for old times sake?
The Mizzou mascot was apparently designed by Matt Groening. Somebody give him a Duff beer quick.
a wide receiver end around for me, please!
then a play action on 3rd and 30!
Renner will start next yr.
Marquis will start next year. Mark it down. Fedora wants a MOBILE tough QB.
Renner will start under Fedora and Bernard will get his as well.
What a pathetic and embarrasing performance. I don’t think Mizzou will be averaging 500 yards in offense in the SEC next year more likely a doormat for Bama , LSU and others who actually understand the definition of defense (unlike our coaching staff).
And I don’t think he is going to walk in and sit Renner in favor of a QB who has yet to take a snap in college football.
deepenwide did you mean memories or miserys?
cue the fireworks! pop the champagne! chest bumps!
girls jumping our of cakes!
its over!!
not one more down of Davis/Shoop/Withers football at Carolina.
No need to pick on Renner, he’s an accurate and effective passer stuck without a coaching staff. He’ll do just fine next year.
Good luck next year Heels, new coach, decent talent hopefully we will see some great football. Until then…
“…thanks for taking the time and interest to spend a few minutes with me, I really appreciate it…I hope I was able to clear up some things for you, and I want to thank you very much for your interest…”
watch and learn. the old way of accessing talent and performance is over. the SPREAD requires a whole NEW outlook on positions. remember D Durrant. thats the type of QB that thrives in the SPREAD. sorry to bust your bubble but I distinctly remember Fedora acting very suprised to hear reporters tell him what he has coming back next year. GET READY.
i am NOT picking on Renner. I am saying there is a new Sheriff in town and we as fans are gonna have to let go of alot of assumptions when it comes to Football.
513 yards surrendered on defense. 513!
337 on the ground. more than vs GT.
What we just saw merely proves what we knew anyway, to wit, that we have a mediocre team with middling talent — the kind of team that, when it takes the field without heart or focus, is an embarrassment.
I agree with THF that Renner and Bernard will start next year, but with a caveat. Tomorrow, if I were Fedora, I would hold a team meeting and tell them point blank that their performance was a disgrace, that all starting positions are open as of now, and that anyone who shows the kind of “spirit” we saw tonight will not play one single down of football in 2012.
For a new coach to just sit in silence in the face of what we just saw is unacceptable. Fedora shouldn’t come in with some smiley-face optimism. He should come in angry and let the bunch of them know that they will perform better or they won’t even be permitted to dress. To drive home the point, he should confiscate the uniforms and tell them that, if they want them back, they can earn them. If they don’t want them, take a hike.
Rath with a little practice you could write a heckuva maniifesto.
rath has it right