Sept. 8, 2000

WHEN WAKE HAS THE BALL: The Demon Deacons are not the finese, passing offense you might remember. Last year, Wake's offensive personality changed into more of a power, physical, ball-control type attack. Oh, the Deacs will still put it up and they remain a formidible screen team, but they like to and have the talent to run the football.

Last Thursday night against Appalachian State, Wake rushed for only 55 yards on 33 carries behind an offensive line that, despite losing three starters from last year, is huge and could still develop into a strength of this Deacon squad. That is all I'm going to say about the ASU game because the one unassailable fact about Saturday night's squabble with the Tar Heels is that the Deacons won't look anything like the team that the Mountaineers defeated.

They get up for Carolina like Appalachian State gets up for Wake.

The UNC defense will get a taste of some smashmouth offense, and Carolina's secondary will be tested in a way they were not versus Tulsa because of Wake's assortment of picks and crossing routes that can easily ambush a sleeping cornerback or safety.

The keys for the Heels as I see them are: 1) First down productivity. Part of Wake's plan is to stay on schedule, move the chains and control the clock, and if they don't have a successful first down play, their offense can get out of sync. 2) Great take offs. Carolina's down linemen have to get out of their stances, initiate the contact, jolt the Deacon offensive front and bust up the play. 3) React quickly and smoothly to the plays Wake will use to blunt Carolina's rush. Screens, draws, boots, the option and some play action. 4) Get up in quarterback CJ Leak's grill and rattle him. He is big, strong and talented but not as poised yet as he will soon be. The Tar Heels need to get this win and get out of town before this young man discovers how good he is.

WHEN CAROLINA HAS THE BALL: Wake's defense is a little tougher to get a feel for. They were more of a read and react team in the first half against Appalachian State, catching ASU blockers and trying to bend but not break as the old coaching cliche goes. But then in the second half, Wake seemed to get more aggressive. They stunted (blitzed) and stemmed (moved their front before the snap to confuse the O line's blocking assignments) a bit more in an effort to regain control of the game.

The Carolina offensive coaches believe that Wake is a sound, solid defensive unit that is young but talented. They run well, and you'd a whole lot rather be good but young than experienced but sorry.

The Heels will carry a few plays to Winston-Salem that you didn't see in the Tulsa game, and I've love to tell you what they are but then I'd have to kill you.

INTANGIBLES: This game worries me. This Carolina football team seems to be an emotional unit. Did you see how the players seemed to wear their feelings on their sleeves at Kenan against Tulsa? Well, Groves Stadium is a tough place for an emotional team to play because there won't be the big upper decks, huge crowd and TV trucks to fire up the players. A more serious, businesslike squad can just strap it on and take care of things, but Carolina will have to bring their own motivation and enthusiasm to Winston with them. Since Wake is supposed to lose this game, they have a free shot psychologically. They hate the Heels. And they have the talent to win the game if the Blue Boys play poorly.