Chansky's Notebook: Let's Go To The Tape!

Beware the Wolfpack . . . it’s a danger zone.

All Carolina’s football team has to do to determine whether it can lose to N.C. State in Friday’s regular season finale is put on the tape of two years ago in Kenan Stadium. The most embarrassing loss in Larry Fedora’s otherwise exciting career at UNC was that 35-7 wipeout to the Pack, when Jacoby Brissett led his team to a 21-0 halftime lead, held the Heels to 30 yards rushing and kept them off the scoreboard until less than two minutes remained.

Carolina went into that game 6-5 after routing Duke 45-20 in Durham and beating Pitt at home and turning around a 2-4 start to win four of its previous five games and be positioned for a pretty good bowl bid. Sound familiar? That’s where the Tar Heels are right now, with still an outside chance to win the Coastal Division and, if not, secure a bid to the Citrus Bowl or old Gator Bowl.

Meanwhile, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren is under heavy pressure to keep his job as even the State-slanted media campaigns for his removal after a mediocre four-year record of 23-26. His program peaked with the stunning win at Carolina two years ago and has been backsliding ever since.

Doeren’s milquetoast personality does not help, compared to the colorful coaching style of Fedora. State may be forced to pay the expensive buyout in Doeren’s contract if it loses Friday, finishes 5-7, fails to earn a third-straight bowl bid and, worse, drops its ACC record to 8-24 in four seasons. That is why it’s a dangerous game for the Heels, who must win to keep alive their ACC Coastal chances.

Yes, the wolves are baying at Doeren’s door, but two losses have completely turned around the State season while proving it is a very capable football team. Who can forget the image of Doeren and his two assistants arm-in-arm on the sideline awaiting the short field goal that would have upset Clemson? The Pack also lost to Florida State on a late TD pass. Win those two games and State might be contending for the ACC Atlantic title instead of debating another coaching change.

How to save the season and Doeren’s job? Upset the Tar Heels. . . again.