Why North Carolina Will Win The Capital One Orange Bowl
– Sam Howell really is that good. The running game has made the North Carolina offense go, but Howell is getting better and better as his true sophomore season goes on. He might not have Dyami Brown to throw to, but Dazz Newsome and the rest of the receiving corps are strong, and Howell is accurate while also leading the way for the ACC’s best passing game in yards per completion.
He’s hitting 69% of his throws, he hasn’t thrown an interception in the last three games and has just two in the last seven, and he’s able to get the ball to places where his receivers can do something with it.
Mac Jones, Kyle Trask, and the better passing games worked against the Aggies, and Howell should be good for at least 250 yards.
– The North Carolina defensive front can hold up better than it’ll get credit for. This is hardly a rock of a run D, but it’s not going to get hammered on too hard. It’ll give up yards, but it’ll be strong enough on third downs to keep A&M from going on too many long, tough drives.
Notre Dame was able to run well against the Tar Heels, and they gave up over 200 rushing yards three times – losing two of the games – but this is an active bunch that averages three sacks per outing and will keep on coming.
– Yeah, North Carolina likes to operate with a quick pace, but it’s also strong at controlling the clock. Texas A&M has to play things at its level and keep its offense on the field – it’s third in the nation averaging over 35 minutes of possession time per game – but the Tar Heels are amazing on third downs and keep the ball for over 31 minutes per game.
If North Carolina wins the time of possession battle, it’s doing something really, really right.