- Jan 10, 2005
- 8,807
- 20
- 0
North Carolina looks like an underrated team in my estimation. The Tarheels return 15 starters from last year?s team that managed a 6-6 record despite facing the toughest schedule in the nation. North Carolina was 1.0 yards per play better than average offensively (5.9 yppl against teams that would combine to allow just 4.9 yppl to an average offense) and their defense wasn?t as bad as it looked, allowing 6.3 yppl to teams that would have averaged 5.9 yppl against an average defense. Their overall +0.6 yppl rating from the line of scrimmage wasn?t that much worse than Georgia Tech?s overall rating last season of +0.9 yppl (-0.1 yppl on offense and +1.0 yppl on defense). That difference was made up for by North Carolina?s special teams, which rated at 2.5 points better than average last season (compared to Georgia Tech?s -2.0 ST rating). Many expect North Carolina to be worse this season without 4 year starting quarterback Darian Durant, but senior Matt Baker has posted good numbers the last 2 years as a backup (8.3 yards per pass play on 57 pass plays, against teams that would allow just 5.5 yppp to an average quarterback). I think Baker will perform at least as well as Durant did throwing the football and Durant?s running ability was overblown seeing as he averaged just 4.4 yards per rushing play last season (taking out his sacks). North Carolina has an improved offensive line and good running backs to take the place of Scott, Lewis, and McGill, so I only see a minor drop, if any, from the Tarheels? attack this season. North Carolina?s defense should be considerably better this season with a fortified defensive line to go with 6 returning starters in the back 7. I still rate the Tarheels defense at 0.2 yppl worse than average, but there is potential for them to be better than average on that side of the ball. Georgia Tech is coming off an upset win at Auburn, but the Yellow Jackets were out-gained 4.4 yppl to 5.9 yppl for Auburn (taking out G. Tech?s 3 kneel downs for -5 yards, of course). Georgia Tech didn?t so much win that game as much as Auburn lost it by turning the ball over 5 times to just 1 turnover for the Yellow Jackets. That victory seems to have Georgia Tech overrated heading into this game while NCU is probably underrated.Yellow Jackets are only 1-6 ATS as a double-digit favorite under coach Chan Gailey.
Let`s give the Tarheels a shot to cover this number ......
BET ID=120533438
Straight Wager 09/10/05 01:29 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
NorthCarolina
GaTech 09/10/05 (15:35 ET)
NorthCarolina +12.5
Let`s give the Tarheels a shot to cover this number ......
BET ID=120533438
Straight Wager 09/10/05 01:29 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
NorthCarolina
GaTech 09/10/05 (15:35 ET)
NorthCarolina +12.5