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Garrett Reynolds heard that N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien proclaimed the Wolfpack ""the best football program in the state"" for the first time Monday.
Reynolds craned his neck around in surprise. ""He said that?""
Assured that O'Brien did" in fact say that" the senior offensive lineman gave a little laugh and shrugged.
""If he wants to say all that stuff" that's his opinion. Whatever he wants to think" he can think. That's fine.""
While North Carolina's upset wins and Top 25 rankings have impressed this season"" the Tar Heels still have much to prove against in-state rivals — as shown this weekend in the Wolfpack's 41-10 rout in Kenan Stadium.
""Last Saturday" they were the best football team. There's no question about it coach Butch Davis said.
But I think that before anybody can anoint themselves" I would say that there probably needs to be some time invested in the program. Then we'll see what happens.""
Davis is only 1-of-4 against in-state opponents since coming to UNC" but that meager stat line hasn't stopped him from leading the team to a 7-4 record and a bowl game this year.
Now the Tar Heels look to end the regular season on a win before heading to the postseason for the first time since 2004.
Of course it won't be easy.
The North Carolina team saw this weekend what can happen when a rival really wants to beat them.
And against Duke" they'll travel to the field of a team who just might want to beat them even more.
""It's just another rivalry game. This time" I think we just need to take it as a game and just forget the rivalry and go out there and play" freshman defensive lineman Robert Quinn said.
That's something Davis has emphasized all season — forgetting about the opponent and playing 12 one-game schedules.""
""This is about us. This isn't about Duke"" Davis said. It's about us bouncing back and us playing up to our own expectations.""
Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
