UNC vs Virginia Preview

There are plenty of reasons either team can win this encounter, which has massive significance for both schools. The winner can gain some much needed momentum and hope for a resurgence in the second half of the season. The losers can expect more badgering from the sports columnists and talk show hosts, who love to put coaches on the hot seat.

Virginia comes into this game as six point favorites at home, but they are anything but a sure thing. Last week, they somehow managed to blow a 20-0 lead against Maryland, crumbling to a 28-26 defeat.

That gives the Cavaliers back-to-back losses coming into their second national television Thursday night game. Coach Al Groh is desperate to make amends for a disappointing 24-7 loss at Georgia Tech in their last outing under the bright lights.

North Carolina’s season has gotten off to a rough start, with just one win in six games. Their confidence is also at rock bottom following three straight losses, with an average margin of defeat of 27 points.

Granted, two of those games were at heavyweights, Clemson and Miami, but they also lost by 17 points at home to South Florida.

In the match-up of the quarterbacks, Virginia certainly appears to have an edge. Freshman quarterback, Jameel Sewell played his best game to date in the narrow loss to Maryland last week, and almost snatched a tie with 2.37 left on the clock.

Sewell connected a superb 44-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, narrowing the gap to 28-26, but his passing attempt for the two-point conversion just missed.

Despite the loss, Sewell finished with 243 passing yards and two touchdown passes to his credit, earning plenty of praise from Coach Groh.

At North Carolina, fellow freshman Cam Sexton has been struggling, and hit rock bottom in their 37-20 loss to South Florida last weekend. After the Tar Heels bolted to a surprise 7-0 lead in the first quarter, Sexton’s game fell apart, and at one stage, he missed the mark with nine straight passes.

Coach John Bunting has pointed the finger at the offensive line for Sexton’s problems, declaring they must rise up this week and offer more protection.

North Carolina’s defense has been dismal, conceding 20 plus points in every game they have played, including their lone win over Furman (45-42). That is Division 1-AA Furman, and the game was played at home.

The Tar Heels appear to have lost their way after a reasonable campaign last year (5-6) in which they switched to a more aggressive blitz defense that worked well.

As often happens when a team is struggling, luck has deserted North Carolina. Their best defensive player, linebacker Larry Edwards, injured his collarbone in the warm-up last weekend, and the senior will likely not play for the school again.

Summing Up. Neither side can be backed with any great confidence, but at home, and with Sewell showing promising signs, the Cavaliers should get at least a touchdown win.

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