North Carolina might have discovered a path back to getting some traction for the final month of the regular season.
Florida State’s search for success of any kind remains ongoing.
Those goals will be atop the to-do list when the Tar Heels face the Seminoles on Saturday afternoon in an Atlantic Coast Conference game in Tallahassee, Fla.
“They’re very talented,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said of Florida State. “They’re going to play well against us. We know that, so it’s on us to come out and play well.”
The Tar Heels (4-4, 1-3) snapped a four-game skid with a 41-14 victory at Virginia last Saturday.
The Seminoles (1-7, 1-6) have lost four consecutive games and no longer even have the quest for bowl qualification as an incentive.
“I challenged players, coaches, everybody involved, our focus this week is to go get it done with the opportunity that is in front of us,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said.
North Carolina’s romp vs. Virginia came with signs that Brown said point toward a strong finishing stretch for his team.
“Played loose, played free, had fun,” Brown said. “Winning is amazing. It solves a whole lot of issues.”
Brown said he sees the Seminoles in a similar light as his Tar Heels. He said both teams haven’t played as well as their skill levels would suggest. He said he fears Florida State will rise much like North Carolina did in the Virginia game.
Norvell said there are signs of improvement in rushing the ball, something that could be a boost to inconsistent quarterback play.
Florida State used quarterbacks Luke Kromenhoek and Brock Glenn in last week’s 36-14 loss at then-No. 6 Miami. Neither player completed more than half of his passes.
There are bound to be chances for a variety of players on the roster.
“Some young guys getting new opportunities,” Norvell said. “Guys that are fighting for more opportunities.”
With Florida State’s quarterback situation possibly in flux, the Tar Heels will be geared up again. They recorded 10 sacks at Virginia.
Brown said Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell has started to develop a better connection with offensive coaches. His 293 passing yards last week marked his second-highest total of the season.
“If Jacolby keeps doing what he’s doing, we have a chance to do at the end (of the season) what we thought we would,” Brown said.
These teams held national rankings a season ago, but they’re in danger of landing in the ACC basement. There’s plenty in common, including close defeats to Georgia Tech and Duke.
–Field Level Media
Something has to give when longtime rivals Baylor and TCU square off on Saturday evening in a Big 12 Conference game in Waco, Texas. Both the Bears (4-4, 2-3) and…
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables wasn’t asked much directly about his team’s matchup with FCS opponent Maine during his Tuesday press conference. “I could brag on Maine,” Venables said. “They’ve got…
UCLA is carrying some momentum for the first time in its inaugural Big Ten Conference season. The Bruins will look to ride that steam into Saturday afternoon’s game against Nebraska…
Skidding Oklahoma looks to keep focus in meeting vs. Maine
UCLA has uphill climb in bid to ‘keep building’ vs. Nebraska
Iowa backup QB Brendan Sullivan in spotlight vs. Wisconsin
Former Pac-12 foes USC, Washington set to test mettle