Gene Chizik’s honeymoon period is over.
UNC defensive coordinator Gene Chizik made a huge improvement during his first season. But, then again, where else could the worst defense in college football go but up. From the last half of last season through the first four games this fall, however, Carolina’s defense has been backsliding. Duke gashed UNC for 327 yards rushing and State ran for 308, although the Tar Heels were good enough on offense to win both of those games handily.
Gene Chizik coaches his defense during training camp. (Avery Trendel/Chapelboro.com)
Now off to a 3-1 start, they cannot be counted on anymore to just outscore opponents. They finished 2015 giving up more than 600 yards of total offense to Clemson in the ACC championship game and more than 750 to Baylor in the Citrus Bowl. The Heels scored what should have been enough points in both those games but lost them decidedly in the fourth quarter.
This season, the defense has continued its downward trend, from the opener against Georgia when Nick Chubb ran for 222 yards and the Bulldogs scored the last 19 points. Through the madcap ending of the Pitt game last Saturday, Chizik’s defense has allowed an average of 425 yards per game. Now, it’s FSU at Tallahassee.
Don’t let Florida’s State’s drubbing at the hands of Louisville mislead you, the Seminoles can churn up yardage and score points like they almost always have. Dalvin Cook, one of the best backs in the nation, averages better than 6 yards per carry. And FSU is well balanced on offense through four games, rushing for 979 yards and passing for 970 behind unheralded quarterback Deondre Francois.
From the moment Chief Osceola sticks that spear in the ground at midfield, Carolina better be ready to play on both sides of the ball. So far, the Heels have been outscored collectively in the first quarter 47-31. They cannot afford to give FSU that kind of cushion and put the burden on Mitch Trubisky’s offense to bail out the game.
Chizik’s defense has got to be better than it has so far; and against what may be the toughest foe of the season, that won’t be easy. Pitt got tired at the end of the game from the heat. FSU won’t.
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