Virginia Tech Football: North Carolina Q&A Preview

After enjoying a well-timed bye week, the Hokies are back in action this Saturday with an afternoon tussle against injury-riddled North Carolina. Limping in at 1-6, the Tar Heels are catching an astounding 21 points against Josh Jackson and company.

But before Justin Fuente and Larry Fedora meet for the second time, I spoke to Ross Martin, beat writer at InsideCarolina.com, to get a better handle on the state of the union in Chapel Hill.

JC: Let's call a spade a spade: it's been a disastrous few months for the North Carolina football program. While some early-season struggles could have been expected given the turnover on offense, how shocking has the Heels' 1-6 start been?

RM: You nailed it. I don't think many thought the 2017 Tar Heels were going to be great, but many believed a 6-7 win year was obtainable. An extreme amount of injuries combined with inexperience at backup spots, depth issues, and a young quarterback have compounded for the perfect storm of problems.

UNC was leading in the fourth quarter against Cal, Louisville, and Duke, but couldn't pull out those wins. Offensive issues since have really made it hard for the Tar Heels to stay in games. They can't move the ball effectively and the defense has fallen apart late in games.

JC: Can you begin to pinpoint the biggest issues for this Tar Heels team? While quarterback play from Chazz Surratt and Brandon Harris has certainly been inconsistent, it feels like the weapons just aren't there right now for Larry Fedora's squad.

RM: Correct. It comes down to offensive line inconsistencies, clear inexperience at quarterback and a lack of offensive weapons, particularly at wide receiver. UNC lost wide receivers Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins, and Bug Howard (two of whom are in the NFL) from the 2016 season. Carolina also lost stud running backs T.J. Logan and Elijah Hood and three offensive line starters. Combine that with a rookie quarterback in Chazz Surratt and it has been tough sledding. UNC has since lost four receivers from the 2017 roster including three starters. The playmakers are just not there on the outside. That has really affected the ability for the offense to move the chains and score.

JC: Given his overall track record in Chapel Hill, how much leeway does Fedora get for a lackluster 2017 from the UNC fan base? Can another productive recruiting haul ease concerns around the viability of Fedora moving forward, or does he need to right the ship this season to avoid hot seat talk from popping up come winter?

RM: Fedora gets a complete pass for this season. The team is too young and he is dealing with upwards of 19 scholarship injuries and 9 or 10 starters who are out for the year. It has been unbelievable. He is two years removed from winning 11 games and the ACC Coastal Division.

Even without the injuries, this team lost so much. It is and was a rebuilding year. I think you look to what he does in 2018 and 2019 to truly judge if this was a one year deal or the start of a downward trend. Recruiting needs to stay in the top 30 range and they need to bring in and develop a better offensive line.

JC: Defensively, the Tar Heels have been a touch unsettled under first-year coordinator John Papuchis. How does this Papuchis-led unit differ from Gene Chizik's defenses?

RM: Papuchis has been a little more aggressive and that has led to more sacks, more turnovers, and more tackles for a loss. But, it has also led to an alarming amount of what they like to call "catastrophic plays." The Tar Heels have given up at least one per game and that has been a black eye on an improving defense that at times has been good enough to win games.

JC: Where do you see the Tar Heels going from here?. With a late-season slate that appears less than forgiving, is a two-or-three win season within the realm of possibility?

RM: 2-10. Maybe, 3-9 if they can beat Pittsburgh up in Heinz Field on a Thursday night, but I bet the Panthers will be favored. The one win left on the schedule is Western Carolina.

I just don't see them beating Virginia Tech, Miami, or N.C. State

JC: Sounds like we may have already covered it, but it's prediction time. Can UNC pull off the stunner, or will the Hokies move to 6-1 on the year?

The spread is around 21 or 22. I think Virginia Tech dominates UNC. The Hokies' strengths on defense, on third down, and their ability to harass the passer plays right into UNC's weaknesses. VT 32, UNC 7.