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.
Related Stories
‹
College Football's Transfer Portal Opens Jan. 2. Which Tar Heels Are Planning to Enter?The college football transfer portal will open Friday, Jan. 2 and close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16. It will be the only transfer portal window of the year for college football, as the NCAA moved to eliminate the spring transfer window earlier this year. Players do not have to have committed to and […]
Chansky's Notebook: Coaching CutsBill Belichick has fired two of his assistant coaches, but it's unclear where UNC will go for its upcoming hires.
UNC Football: Belichick Fires Assistants Freddie Kitchens, Mike PrieferUNC football head coach Bill Belichick has begun shaking up his coaching staff, as he announced the firings of both offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer Friday morning. “We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in […]
Chansky's Notebook: Year One DoneThe Bill Belichick Era at UNC is officially one year old. Right now, at least, infamy is the softest way to describe it.
Chansky's Notebook: Pro Football SchoolDrake Maye is getting most of the publicity, but several of his former teammates at UNC are also in the league this season.
UNC Linebacker Khmori House to Enter Transfer PortalUNC starting linebacker Khmori House plans to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. The portal will officially open January 2. View this post on Instagram House arrived in Chapel Hill via the transfer portal from the University of Washington last offseason. A sophomore, House led UNC in tackles with 78. He […]
Chansky's Notebook: A Full CycleBill Belichick and Michael Lombardi's "first" national signing day class at UNC comes with some good news and some bad news.
'They Will Be a Foundation': Belichick, Lombardi Speak at UNC Football's National Signing Day EventUNC officially announced the signings of 39 high school and junior college prospects Wednesday at the Kenan Football Center. The Tar Heels’ class is ranked No. 17 nationally and No. 3 in the ACC by 247 Sports. Of schools with classes ranked inside the Top 50, only West Virginia signed more players Wednesday. Of the […]
5 UNC Football Players Earn All-ACC RecognitionA quintet of Tar Heels earned all-conference recognition from the ACC Tuesday. Defensive end Melkart Abou-Jaoude was named to the ACC’s second team, while receiver Jordan Shipp, kicker Rece Verhoff and linebackers Khmori House and Andrew Simpson each received honorable mention nods. Abou-Jaoude had a productive debut season as a Tar Heel after transferring in […]
N.C. State Buries UNC Football Along With The Heels' 2025 Season — The Carolina Football Hour (Dec. 1, 2025)UNC ends its season with a blowout loss to N.C. State, 42-19. 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell and Michael Koh debrief the game and year.
›
