Preview: UNC football looks to bounce back at Duke after embarrassing loss to JMU

Heading into a rivalry matchup against an undefeated Duke team, the UNC football program might be at one of the lowest points it has ever been. 

On Saturday, while looking to travel to Durham with its own 4-0 record, North Carolina's hopes were dashed after a brutal 70-50 loss to James Madison. As UNC collapsed in every single facet, JMU stormed up and down the field, recording 611 yards and nine touchdowns with seven coming in the first half. 

The Tar Heels had five turnovers and conceded 53 first-half points, the most allowed in a half in program history. The 70 points surrendered is tied for the most UNC has ever given up in a game. 

It is safe to say the loss wasn't just bad. It was astounding.

"How does that happen?" head coach Mack Brown said. "I mean how can you go from watching them on Thursday being excited and throwing and catching and being in the right place and then you let everyone down?"

And now, amid rumors swirling about Brown's future with the team and UNC's season in peril, the Tar Heels have to travel to Wallace Wade Stadium for a rivalry matchup against a 4-0 Duke team. 

Here are three things to note heading into Saturday: 

The sacred locker room 

Following Saturday's loss, reports emerged from the UNC locker room about Brown offering to step down. The head coach used his Monday press conference to clear the air.

Brown stated he never said or implied in the locker room after the game that he planned to retire. Instead, Brown claimed his postgame conversation was completely misinterpreted. 

The head coach asked his team if they wanted "new leadership." The players said no. An hour after the loss, Brown then shifted his focus to preparing for Duke. 

"The locker room was sacred," Brown said on Monday. "It's obviously not anymore."

And although Brown dispelled the rumors and emphasized his players are ready to move forward, the team's response on Saturday will be an important indication of the current state of the program. 

Facing a challenging Blue Devil defense

On Saturday, the Tar Heels will face one of the most challenging defenses they have seen this season. 

Duke not only ranks second in the ACC for sacks, but they also lead the country in tackles for losses. Across four games, the Blue Devils have recorded 15 sacks while notching 29 solo tackles for loss. Furthermore, Duke's overall defense ranks fifth in the ACC. 

"With our inexperience up front [and] playing our third quarterback in four games, we got our hands full this weekend," Brown said. 

UNC only returned one starter to its offensive line following last season. Although the offense currently ranks 22nd in the nation, the O-line will have to protect graduate quarterback Jacolby Criswell.

Last Saturday, the offensive line allowed James Madison to record 10 quarterback hurries, compared to North Carolina's one QB pressure. 

Against JMU, in his first real start at UNC, Criswell completed 28 passes in 48 attempts, recorded 475 yards and three touchdowns. In a game with few positives, Criswell was one of the standouts.

"He was probably really anxious, but I really thought he settled in and did some nice things," offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said. 

Criswell will likely have to pull out some of those same plays while preventing turnovers and relying on staple junior running back Omarion Hampton — who leads the conference in yards — to get back in the win column. 

Returning to old ways

On Saturday, the defense returned to past tendencies. 

After holding every opponent to under 100 rushing yards during UNC's first three games, the defense lost its way against JMU. 

"When things started going sideways, a bunch of guys tried to do too much and were even compounding issues instead of just relying on the fundamentals," defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said. 

With an ever-changing and inexperienced North Carolina offense, the defense will have to go back to those fundamentals and what made it successful earlier this season to offset potential offensive mistakes. 

UNC now ranks 93rd in passing yards allowed per game. In the red zone, opponents are 13 of 14 with nine touchdowns and four field goals.

In preparation for Duke's pass-heavy offense, the secondary will have to step up after failing to do so last week. Strong performances from defensive backs graduate Alijah Huzzie, senior Jakeen Harris and junior Marcus Allen will be critical. 

@_emmahmoon

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