If champions find a way to win, the Tar Heels must be champions.

Larry Fedora said his team went into Saturday’s game at Virginia Tech facing the perfect storm. Frank Beamer coaching his last home game after 29 years in Blacksburg, the Hokies needing one more win to secure their 23rd consecutive bowl bid, senior day, black uniforms, Metallica revving up an already crazy crowd. The whole schmeer.

Yet, Carolina had to find a way to win to avoid going to N.C. State this week to wrap up the ACC Coastal Division. If the Tar Heels kept playing like they had the last month, it would have been no problem. But they played tight from start to finish and made uncharacteristic mistakes. Fumbling six times and losing three and committing nine penalties, several by veteran players.

With four minutes left, they had found a way, ready to score again and win comfortably by more than two touchdowns. Then Marquise Williams, upon whose shoulders this magical season has rested, lost the ball on two straight possessions, giving him three turnovers for the game. Shades of South Carolina – the last time the Tar Heels lost.

Going to overtime, how confident were you? If you’re into bad karma, the UNC basketball team was blowing a 16-point lead out in Iowa and it looked like a black Sabbath upon Tar Heel Nation. But the UNC defense, which had given up two touchdown passes on fourth-down after near goal-line stands, this time held the Hokies to a field goal and gave the offense a chance to win.

It looked easy when the Heels had a first-and-goal at the three but another false start made it third-and-goal from the 8. They had to get into the end zone or face a second overtime, which would have really been pushing their luck.

Marquise to Quinshad for only the second time this season, and they were celebrating with Fedora, destined to be for ACC Coach of the Year.

Ten straight and going to Charlotte to play top-ranked Clemson, which trust me does not want to face the 11th-ranked Carolina in what will be a wild scene at Bank of American Stadium. Before that comes N.C. State, and as tight as the Tar Heels were Saturday in the foothills, their sphincters should be loose and ready to take on the Wolfpack in the fairgrounds.

Eleven straight wins would be a school record for one season and the first time a UNC team has ever won that many before the post-season. That, and last year’s bad loss to State, should be plenty to play for.

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