Tag: Defensive Keys

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs Virginia

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against Virginia Cavaliers.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are 6-0 for the first time since 1983, and despite the odds being heavily in their favor to go 7-0, there are a few defensive keys they will need to do to keep their record intact.

They will host the dreadful 1-5 Virginia Cavaliers, ending their three-game home stint before their two-game road trip. Despite the lackluster record, they managed to be in three of the six games, losing to James Madison 36-35, NC State 24-21, and Boston College 27-24.

That said, this game screams TRAP!

UNC walks into this game favored by 23.5 points, and now that they are in the top 10 for the Associated Press Poll, covering enormous odds against bad teams record-wise is the only way to continue to gain traction in the rankings. To meet those odds, it will not be on the offense more so the defense to keep the Cavaliers offensive attack under wraps.

Let us look at the defensive keys for UNC to wake up Sunday morning, 7-0.

4 defensive keys for Vikings in week 7 vs. 49ers

These defensive keys for the Minnesota Vikings will be important to beat the San Francisco 49ers

Watching the Minnesota Vikings thus far has felt like one exceptionally long bad day. A day before you head to work, you spill coffee on your work shirt. You’re already running late and traffic is only going to get worse. Plus, you got that report due at noon…just an overall bad day.

And it may be getting worse.

The San Francisco 49ers come into town on Sunday and they can’t be too happy about dropping their first game to the Cleveland Browns last Sunday.

So now, Minnesota has to avoid becoming the proverbial get-right game and compete against the Super Bowl favorites on Monday at 7:15 p.m. CT.

If they want a shot at taking down Goliath, here a few stones that they can put in the slingshot on the defensive side of the football.

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs Miami

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against Miami Hurricanes.

The UNC football program is days away from hosting the Miami Hurricanes in front of an electric sold-out crowd as they look to start the season 6-0.

Surprisingly, their defense has been a big part of North Carolina’s success this season, especially when closing the door on any comebacks. If UNC wants to win this one, the defense will be counted on again to slow down one of the ACC’s best quarterbacks.

Miami is the quality win UNC needs to continue climbing up the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Even with the Hurricane’s nightmare loss against Georgia Tech, a win against a Top 25 team only boosted UNC’s ranking and confidence.

The game is set for prime time, and the excitement is high. However, what must the Tar Heels do to keep their record intact? We know the offensive keys. Let us look at the defensive keys to walk into Monday 6-0.

4 defensive keys for Vikings in Week 6 vs. Bears

These keys on defense are pivotal for the Vikings to beat the Bears on Sunday

The Minnesota Vikings take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday in a divisional matchup that feels pivotal for the survival of Minnesota’s 2023 season.

With all the talk about Kirk Cousins, another player who could be on the trading block if things don’t straighten up is OLB Danielle Hunter. Meanwhile, the Bears have been playing some of the best football they’ve played since their 12-win season back in 2018.

All this to say, Chicago is red-hot while Minnesota is sputtering.

Since 2018, the Vikings and Bears have split their series straight down the middle with five wins apiece. If the Vikings want to take the advantage, they will have to stop this Chicago offense. To do that, they will need to follow these four keys to victory on the defensive side of the ball.

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs Syracuse

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against Syracuse.

The UNC football program will return to action this weekend after a successful bye-week where, despite not playing, their ranking in the Associated Press Poll Top 25 climbed.

As the season continues, the possibility of the Tar Heels playing in the playoffs grows. One of the biggest concerns heading into the season was if their defense could sustain long enough for the offense to win whatever shoot out that weekend. However, this year’s story has played out differently, with the defense leading the charge in UNC’s victories.

This game against Syracuse will be no different. The Orange has done a great job this season finding the end zone. Despite a questionable schedule, Syracuse has capitalized on suspect defense, torching teams in their first four wins.

The Orange had put up 65, 48, 35, and 29 before Clemson came to town and held them to only 14 points. The Tigers showed the recipe for peeling the Orange’s offense back. UNC has to follow that recipe and let their defense cook.

Here are the three defensive keys for a UNC victory.

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs Minnesota

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against Minnesota.

The North Carolina football program will look to remain unbeaten with a win against Minnesota this Saturday.

UNC is coming off a 40-34 double overtime win against Appalachian State, where the defense again played the hero role while the offense looks to regain the momentum they had last season. Despite a sluggish start for the offense this year, UNC has sustained their spot in the AP Top 25 Poll, largely thanks to their defense and rushing attack.

Minnesota comes to Chapel Hill also rocking an unblemished record, with a lopsided win over Eastern Michigan and squeezing by Nebraska 13-10. Much like last weekend’s game against the Mountaineers, this game could be considered a potential trap, especially with UNC being favored by a touchdown.

As UNC looks to get their offensive passing attack going, if the Tar Heels want to escape the trap, it could again fall on the shoulder pads of the defense.

Let us look at the three keys the defense needs to do to wake up Sunday morning with their record intact.

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs App State

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against Appalachian State.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are coming off an impressive 31-17 win over South Carolina to kick off their season, but what must they do to have a repeat performance in week two against Appalachian State?

Many projected Drake Maye to be the reason for UNC’s victory in a battle of two great offenses. However, that was not the case, with the defense mainly playing the hero role to save the game.

The defense displayed consistent pressure on the line, getting to Spencer Rattler repeatedly for nine sacks. The defensive effort was led by Kaimon Rucker, who earned Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors after finishing the game with eight tackles and two sacks.

Fans could not be more enthusiastic about the season following week one defensive performance. However, there is still room for improvement. Here are a few keys UNC will need to do on the defensive side to repeat their week one performance.

Defensive keys to beating the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

It’s another air raid adventure for the Auburn defense.

It’s almost gameday, and the Tigers are coming up against an offense similar to one it has seen before.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers like to throw the football, and the Tigers will be on guard after facing a similar style of offense in its close loss to Mississippi State two weeks ago. Auburn is sure to have learned, however, and interim head coach Cadillac Williams will likely hope to avoid the fate he suffered at the hands of Mike Leach’s Bulldogs this time around.

Here are four defensive keys the Tigers should look out for when playing WKU on Saturday:

Defensive keys to beating the Mississippi State Bulldogs

Here’s how the Tigers can turn Mississippi State’s air raid into a no-fly zone on Saturday:

It’ll be [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag]’ first test as a head coach against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday, and what a test it is.

Unlike other opponents, the Bulldogs will try to assault the Tigers almost exclusively through the air. That will be a welcome break from the run performances that have gashed Auburn in the past few weeks, but it will be a great first test for Williams and his staff to adjust the game plan properly and put together a defense that will stop Mississippi State from imposing its will in the passing game.

Here are four defensive keys for the Auburn Tigers to beat the Bulldogs on Saturday:

Defensive keys to beating the Arkansas Razorbacks

Here are four ways the Tigers can slow down Arkansas’ weapons of Saturday:

The Tigers will once again defend home turf at Jordan-Hare stadium, but this time, it’ll be against a high-octane offense.

The Arkansas Razorbacks will come to Auburn with threats in both the ground game and the receiving game, so there’s quite a bit to watch out for if you’re [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] and his staff. Never say never in the SEC, though, especially when Auburn’s home-field advantage is one of the most vaunted in the entire NCAA.

It certainly won’t be easy to slow down this Razorbacks attack, but here are four ways the Tigers can look to get it done on Saturday: