If you’ve watched North Carolina Tar Heels football recently, particularly over the past two seasons, one question you likely have is: why do they start so hot, then fall off the face of the Earth?
We’d also like to know the answer. It’s not for a lack of talent – Drake Maye, Sam Howell, Josh Downs, Cedric Gray, Tez Walker are just a few of the stars to recently come through Chapel Hill. Many like to blame the coaching for these collapses, which is a valid thought, but even the UNC coaches are puzzled by the hot-and-cold seasons.
Maybe it’s the change from summer to fall? Tougher opponents? Playing on the road or underestimating opponents (Virginia)?
Regardless of what it is, North Carolina has just over a month to figure it out, with its season starting on Thursday, Aug. 29 at the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Tar Heels will start Training Camp on Sunday, signifying the next step in their offseason progression.
At the ACC Football Kickoff on Thursday, UNC head coach Mack Brown gave us an answer on his team’s top priority heading into training camp.
“The number one thing is to figure out why we haven’t finished well and fix it,” Brown told InsideCarolina’s Evan Rogers. “That’s it, we’re so close. Why do we start 9-1 and fizzle? Why don’t we start 6-0, we’re 10th in the country and we don’t play as well at the end? And so we’re obviously doing the right thing in the offseason program. We’re starting seasons right, we’re doing really well. But what in the end has got to change, and from my perspective, and looking at it, that’s where the leadership committee gets involved. Let’s make sure we’re doing every little thing right. From a disciplinary standpoint.”
North Carolina began the 2022 season 9-1, with its lone loss to traditional college football power Notre Dame, then finished 9-5 with four straight losses.
The start of 2023 was encouraging, as the Tar Heels beat South Carolina, in-state foe App State, Minnesota, Pitt, Syracuse and Miami to open the year. UNC’s defense looked significantly better, while a new offensive player stepped up seemingly every week during Walker’s ineligibility.
The wheels then fell off when North Carolina lost to Virginia at home. A week later, the Tar Heels fell at Georgia Tech. Victories over Campbell and archrival Duke gave UNC some brief, much-needed hope, which then quickly disappeared with three consecutive losses.
Can North Carolina both start – and finish – 2024 strong? With an easier schedule, we sure hope so.
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