The Bill Belichick era has gotten often to a sluggish start as the Heels were boat-raced by a talented TCU team before grinding their way past UNC-Charlotte last weekend. Through two games, the Heels have multiple unanswered questions on offense and defense — much of this owing to having a team with 70 new faces, many that came onboard after the spring practices had already concluded. Live game reps obviously are the best way to build chemistry between all the new pieces.
The game against Richmond
is an opportunity for the Heels to build some confidence for the rest of the season. Of course, the usual cautionary plaudits apply here — Richmond is not going to be interested in being UNC’s get-well game. The Spiders were picked to finish second in the Patriot League and sport a 1-1 record. That being said, this will be the biggest edge in talent the Heels will have all season. Virginia finished 5-7 last year but still managed to roll the 10-3 Spiders 34-13. These are the types of game a major college football program puts on their schedule so they can line up and impose their will on the other team. UNC needs a game like this.
Roy Williams famously said, “Everything looks better when the ball goes in the basket.” This UNC team needs to see their equivalent of the ball going in the basket to build some confidence. They need to see Demon June (or any running back) rip off a 40-yard touchdown run, or Gio Lopez scramble while hitting Jordan Shipp in stride for a long gain, or the defense stuff the Spiders on a third-and-short. These things won’t necessarily make Carolina a better or more talented team, but seeing positive results from a well-executed play could pay dividends when the Heels are staring down Central Florida and Clemson later this month.
