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What is the difference between 2-3 or 3-2 after five games?
Carolina is 2-1 with wins over Charlotte and Richmond, two opponents the likes of which may never be on the schedule again.
The ACC is ready to vote on its football teams playing at least 10 games against Power 4 competition, and if schools want a crack at making the College Football Playoff all 12 will be against Power 4s.
So beginning with Saturday’s visit to UCF, the Tar Heels begin nine straight games, eight of which are winnable. They will likely lose on October 4 to Clemson, which has started 1-2, has a week off (as does UNC) to get ready and will need to run the table to have a chance to reach the CFP.
So beating Central Florida becomes even more important. A win will make the Heels 3-1 and likely 3-2 after losing to Clemson. A loss in Orlando will leave them 2-3 for the last seven games.
If you listened to Dabo after his Tigers lost to Georgia Tech on a 55-yard field goal as time ran out, you know they will be more than ready when they arrive at Kenan Stadium.
Swinney addressed the loud minority of Clemson alumni and fans who are unhappy after the worst start since 2014, when they won nine of their last 10 games and beat the snot out of Oklahoma in a bowl game. That’s the attitude Dabo and his troops will bring here.
It’s not like Belichick will never beat Clemson as long as he stays in Chapel Hill. The point is there is no comparison between the team personnel the Hoodie put together since taking the job and the deep and talented Tigers whose coach reminded the media after losing in Atlanta.
“We’ve got two losses and both came down to the last freaking play,” he said. “We’ve got a good team.”
Swinney responds to any boobirds who might come out that Clemson went to six straight CFPs between 2015 and 2020, played in the national championship game five times and won twice (2016 and 2018). His teams have had 11 straight 10-plus win seasons and won seven ACC championships in nine years.
Clemson won 13 conference titles before he became head coach between 1953 and 2008 while Swinney has since built one of the true powerhouses in the sport.
When he gets criticized, he reminds his administration and alumni that if they would like him to coach somewhere else, he would be glad to do that. “I’m 55 and I have a lot of coaching left in me,” says the former Alabama player and assistant coach whose name is linked to the Crimson Tide on occasion.
So look for the Tigers to beat 2-1 Syracuse at home Saturday and then have two weeks off to prepare to play Belichick and his Tar Heels, the toughest game Carolina will have all season.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Dalton T. Wainscott
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
