Once again, Larry Fedora’s Tar Heels enter postseason play with an underwhelming 6-6 record and just like last year, Carolina will be hoping to end the season on a high note with a bowl victory and head into the offseason with some momentum.
On the other side of Detroit’s Ford Field, UNC will see the 7-5 Rutgers Scarlet Knights out of the Big Ten. UNC and Rutgers have met six times before on the gridiron, with UNC winning the last encounter by a 24-22 margin in a 2011 win inside Chapel Hill’s Kenan Stadium.
The Quick Lane Bowl is Carolina’s 31st all-time bowl appearance, but it’s the first in the state of Michigan. The Tar Heels have won two of their last three bowl games.
Offense
The Tar Heels have a significant advantage on this side of the ball. UNC is averaging 34.2 points per contest, while Rutgers is only managing to score 25.6 points a game. For one, the Tar Heels have more weaponry at the skill positions, with the talented trio of Mack Hollins, Ryan Switzer and Quinshad Davis figuring to be in prime condition for big outings the day after Christmas. In addition, you have to give the edge at the quarterback position to junior Marquise Williams. Although Rutgers signal caller Gary Nova is an efficient passer, averaging 222.3 passing yards per contest, he’s not near the dual-threat machine of Williams, who can just as easily beat you with his legs as through the air. The Scarlet Knights will rely heavily on Paul James and Desmon Peoples and stick to their ground assault Friday against the porous UNC run defense, but will Rutgers have enough firepower to strike early and often against an up-tempo, explosive Carolina offense that’s eager to make amends for its struggles in the regular season finale?
EDGE: UNC
Defense
UNC’s issues on the defense the past couple of seasons ultimately led to the dismissal of defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. In his place, Dan Disch steps in on an interim basis and will attempt to plug up the holes and inspire a capable performance from the beleaguered unit. Senior Norkeithus Otis, for one, will certainly be hungry to end his final game in Carolina uniform with a respectable showing. Carolina’s defense, most notably in the Duke victory, has shown glimpses of putting it together, but poor tackling and blown coverages have become an all-too-common theme.
As for Rutgers, it’s been a case of some hot and cold play in 2014. When they’re good, they’re seemingly great. They held Penn State to a mere 13 points back in September and also successfully navigated Navy’s tricky triple-option attack. But when things go the other way, well, it’s ugly. Rutgers gave up 57 points to Ohio State and even surrendered 38 points to lowly Washington State. On a positive note, though, the Scarlet Knights usually embrace a “bend, don’t break” style of play, often finding a way to hold opponents to three on their trips inside the red zone. That trend would do well to continue against the score-heavy Tar Heels.
EDGE: Rutgers
Special Teams/Intangibles
Both teams are fairly sound with their kick and punt return coverage, so it could be tough for guys like Ryan Switzer and Janarion Grant to get any type of game-changing play Friday evening at Ford Field. But as for field goal kicking, the big edge has got to go Rutgers place-kicker Kyle Federico. He’s made five from outside of forty yards. As for the Tar Heels? Well, neither Thomas Moore nor Nick Weiler has connected from more than 30 yards away. Let’s just say Coach Fedora doesn’t want to see this game come down to the leg of a kicker.
It must also be mentioned, the “excitement factor” is not something to overlook when it comes to bowl season. Which team is more pumped up about their bowl destination can have a tangible impact on the outcomes in the college football season. And in this case, there is no doubt who’s more thrilled with the opportunity to play in the Quick Lane Bowl – that’s Rutgers. UNC had designs on a trip to the ACC Championship game and a New Year’s Day bowl and now, here they are squaring off on the day after the 25th. Will that have an effect in this one? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
EDGE: PUSH
Prediction
Rutgers can do some nice things and should have plenty of success running the football against a rather poor UNC defensive front. But in bowl games, I favor explosiveness. The Tar Heels will have plenty of fireworks to set off in Motown. I have no doubt the Scarlet Knights will move the football, but will they be able to turn those drives into enough touchdowns to hang with Carolina? Over the course of the 2014 season, UNC racked up 19 more trips to the end zone than Rutgers. Marquise Williams will find his footing again and have another big-time game through the air and on the ground to lead the Tar Heels to their second straight bowl win and make former UNC player and current Lions tight end Eric Ebron happy for the holidays.
UNC 42 – Rutgers 24
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