CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –– North Carolina is hitting the road for the first time since the Aug 29 opener to face Duke (4-0) tomorrow at Wallace Wade Stadium.
With kickoff at 4 p.m., the Tar Heels are still licking their wounds from last week’s disaster versus James Madison, a game where they scored on offense but allowed the Dukes to score not just offensively, but with their defense and special teams resulting in a 70-50 shootout.
UNC has won the past five contests against the Blue Devils, most recently last season when the Tar Heels – narrowly slipped by with a thrilling 47-45 double overtime win in Kenan Stadium.
This go-around, however, it might be a little more difficult to keep the Victory Bell in Chapel Hill as the Blue Devils are looking strong, healthy and undefeated heading into tomorrow’s contest.
Both squads have shown flashes of brilliance, yet their performances have been marked by inconsistency on both sides of the ball. And the lack of high-caliber opposition leaves us wondering how these teams will fare when truly tested.
Under first-year head coach Manny Diaz, Duke football cruised through their early season schedule and now face their first significant challenge of the season in UNC. They secured a 45-17 victory on the road last weekend against Middle Tennessee State by way of quarterback Maalik Murphy and its lights-out defense. This feat is rare for the Blue Devils, as it is only the fourth time in program history where they’ve started a season 4-0.
Duke’s front seven have emerged as a formidable force, consistently disrupting opponents’ offensive rhythms with relentless pressure. Their ability to create chaos in the backfield has turned seemingly routine games into potential trap situations for unsuspecting opponents. While already impressive, this unit hints at even greater untapped potential and they will certainly be an even more dominant factor not just tomorrow, but as the season progresses.
Texas transfer Maalik Murphy has had a decent season so far, totaling 216 yards and three touchdowns in the game versus MTSU. With 11 touchdowns on the season and 1,017 total yards however, he has thrown an interception in every single game. He’s also run the ball five times for -25 yards.
Speaking of quarterbacks, Jacolby Criswell looked comfortable starting for the Tar Heels last weekend. He threw for 475 yards—third most yards in a single game by a Tar Heel— and three touchdowns. His arm is mighty, but as North Carolina delves deeper into conference play Criswell’s true test lies in maintaining this level of performance. Tomorrow will be crucial in determining whether he can sustain
the momentum and elevate his consistency, potentially becoming the linchpin of the Tar Heels’ offensive success.
Murphy and Criswell have displayed impressive arm strength, connecting with their receivers on deep passes for explosive plays down the field. However their inexperience has been evident in their decision-making through risky throws, misreads and some costly interceptions. As they both navigate the learning curve, balancing their big-play potential with improved game management will be crucial to their team’s success down the stretch.
In their attempt to make up for last week’s shortcomings, UNC’s defense should prioritize locking up Murphy and disrupting the pocket. Murphy and his cannon are the centerpiece of this offense, as the Devils rushing attack has totaled a modest 418 yards. This is where the Tar Heels have the advantage, spearheaded by standout Omarion Hampton. He’s rushed for 100+ yards in three of his first four games – ranking third in the nation with 555 yards on the ground.
The Blue Devils enter the contest with a palpable air of confidence and their perfect start has injected in them a newfound swagger— and playing at home might give them the extra edge they need. While the Tar Heels have appeared less assured in recent outings, they still have some more than capable playmakers who add an intriguing dimension to the matchup.
These rivals will lock horns for the 111th time in history and tomorrow stands as a crucial litmus test that will set the tone for the remainder of their seasons.
Which team will rise to the occasion, and which will falter under the pressure of heightened competition?
