Preview: Three keys as UNC football looks to become bowl eligible against Wake Forest

For the first time in about two months, the UNC football team is on a win streak. 

Following its 35-11 win against Florida State, North Carolina has strung together two consecutive wins and is looking to notch its third on Saturday. 

UNC hosts the 4-5 Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Kenan Stadium at 8 p.m., looking to become bowl eligible for the sixth year in a row. 

Here are three things to watch for heading into Saturday’s game: 

Passing offense

Over the last two games, all eyes have been on junior running back Omarion Hampton and UNC's rushing offense. 

But heading into the game, North Carolina will look to expand upon its passing attack. 

UNC is facing a Wake Forest defense that gives up the second most pass yards nationally per game. The Demon Deacons rank last in passing yards allowed in the ACC, giving up over 298 yards per game through the air. 

Wake Forest has also given up the second most passing touchdowns in the ACC this season, conceding 19 through the air. The Demon Deacons have conceded the third highest completion percentage in the country, allowing opposing teams to connect on over 70 percent of their passes. 

Facing a vulnerable Wake Forest pass defense comes at the perfect time, as North Carolina's passing game is gaining some momentum. 

“I feel like now we're starting to do things from when I was first here to where the deep ball is finally being connected in practice, things like that,” graduate quarterback Jacolby Criswell said. “We've just been really consistent with the deep ball.”  

Getting after the quarterback 

In the first seven games of the season, the Tar Heels recorded 15 sacks. 

The previous two games? 17. 

Head coach Mack Brown emphasized the impact of pressuring the quarterback and the importance of continuing this trend. 

“We've had 17 in the last two games which is phenomenal,” Brown said. “And that's something that we've got to try to continue to do as we finish the season.” 

UNC is fourth in the country in sacks this season, averaging over three per game. But those splits change drastically in wins and losses. 

In wins this season, North Carolina is averaging over five sacks per game, while in losses, they are averaging just over one sack. It's simple: when UNC pressures opposing quarterbacks, good things happen. 

Against Wake Forest, North Carolina will have a prime opportunity to get after quarterback Hank Bachmeier. The Demon Deacons have given up the fifth most sacks in the ACC, allowing 29 across nine games this season. Furthermore, Wake Forest is tied for 13th in the country in most sacks allowed this season. 

North Carolina's defensive line will look to build on its recent performances. 

“I've been really happy with the way they have played the game,” defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said. “The production is great. But the way they have approached the game, the way they have approached practice, the way they've approached game time and being leaders has been awesome.” 

Third down conversions 

Being able to convert on third down has been an uphill battle for the Tar Heels this season. 

In wins, North Carolina converts on over 55 percent of third down chances as opposed to losses, where they convert on less than 29 percent. 

The past two weeks, UNC converted on 60 percent of its third down opportunities, which was a major contributor to its success. 

“We found our identity,” Brown said. “We executed much better and played better complimentary football against Virginia and Florida State.” 

In conference play, the Demon Deacon defense allows opponents to convert on over 42 percent of chances — the third highest in the ACC. 

Converting on third down will be key in extending UNC's win streak to three games on Saturday. 

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