Three things to watch when UNC goes to Duke
Stopping the run sounds so simple.
The upcoming game between North Carolina (UNC) and Duke presents several key matchups for fans and analysts to watch. First and foremost, the battle on the field will center around the number of plays run by each team's offense and defense. UNC's defense has been allowing opponents to reach third down frequently and convert them at a high rate for the second consecutive season, ranking 110th through five games.
In contrast, Duke has a strong ground game, averaging 211 yards per game at 5.1 yards per carry. With injuries impacting UNC's starting lineup, their defense will be under significant pressure to get off the field and let Bobby Petrino's offense have limited opportunities to score points. The third thing to monitor is the performance of Duke's running back, Nate Sheppard.
He controls nearly 40% of Duke's offensive plays, has scored 11 touchdowns, and will likely face increased pressure from UNC's defensive front if he gets the ball frequently. The success of UNC's defense in containing Duke's ground game will be crucial in determining the outcome of this highly anticipated contest.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
