After a victory over Virginia, UNC football looks to stay in win column against FSU

The Tar Heels looked different last Saturday against Virginia. 

After suffering a four-game losing skid, UNC played its most complete game of the season. As the defense smothered the Cavaliers, the offense ramped up its passing game while maintaining a consistent run game. 

In the words of head coach Mack Brown, it was a step forward for North Carolina. 

“The attitude during team meeting yesterday was unbelievable,” Brown said on Monday during a press conference. “People were watching the highlights and being proud of themselves. It's amazing.”

And as the Tar Heels head to Tallahassee to take on a 1-7 Florida State team, Brown will look to notch his first career win against the Seminoles in his ninth matchup against FSU. 

Here are three takeaways for a UNC victory:

Using the run game 

Omarion Hampton passed the 1,000-yard rushing milestone for the season on Saturday against Virginia. And after notching 1,504 rushing yards last season, the junior running back is one of nine Tar Heels to post multiple seasons with over 1,000 yards on the ground. 

After the game, the often quiet running back was asked to do something celebratory following the achievement. 

“All the guys, they were just yelling, ‘Speech,’ and everything like that,” Hampton said. “But I was tired.”

While Hampton plays an integral role in North Carolina's offense every game, the running back will be looked to even more heading into the matchup against FSU. 

Florida State's defense ranks last in the ACC against the rush. Over the last eight games, Florida State has given up 1,434 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, surrendering an average of 179.3 yards on the ground per game. 

But when the ball is in the air, FSU boasts the third-best passing defense in the ACC, holding opponents to an average of 200 yards. Last weekend, the Seminoles held No. 5 Miami quarterback Cam Ward to 208 yards. Before the matchup, Ward hadn't thrown for less than 300 yards in a game this season and averaged nearly 363 passing yards per game. 

To stay in the win column, the Tar Heels will need to attack Florida State's weaknesses, and that begins with relying on the Hampton-led offense they have used all season. 

Keep the defense rolling

UNC's defense came out with renewed energy against the Cavaliers following a bye week.

“One of the big things that I wanted to focus on in the bye week and the week leading up to the game is showing these guys how good they are,” defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said. “We spent a lot of time everyday [and] it was about 10 to 12 plays showing them at times during the season when they have been a dominant unit, and I just kept showing it to them.”

The tactic paid off.

After only having 15 sacks through seven games and zero in their previous two matchups, the Tar Heels recorded 10 in total against Virginia, marking the most by a UNC defense since 2000 at Wake Forest. Seven players helped contribute to the total. North Carolina's defense also contributed 12 tackles for loss and two interceptions, including an 84-yard pick six. 

So, heading into a matchup against the Seminoles, the task is simple: whatever the Tar Heels changed during their off-week, they have to keep doing it. 

Florida State ranks last in the ACC in total offense, averaging only 14.9 points per game. FSU has scored 13 touchdowns this season. The Seminoles are the only team left in the FBS that have not scored more than 21 points in a game. 

With FSU's poor offense and UNC's seemingly altered defense, the Tar Heels will need to carry over the performance from Virginia into Saturday.

Preparing for two QBs

North Carolina will need to prepare for two quarterbacks heading into Saturday. 

Although redshirt first-year quarterback Brock Glenn will likely start, back up first-year Luke Kromenhoek has experienced significant playing time in FSU's last two games against Duke and Miami. 

After Glenn started against the Hurricanes, Kromenhoek took over in the first half. While the Seminoles lost to Miami 36-14, the first-year put FSU back in it after a drive with three keepers that resulted in a touchdown to make it 14-7 midway through the second quarter. Kromenhoek also added 71 rushing yards. 

Even though Glenn eventually came back into the game, FSU seems to be using both quarterbacks as the season progresses. 

To notch their fifth win of the season, the Tar Heels will need to scheme for threats that each quarterback poses. 

@_emmahmoon

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