Tyrod Taylor wants to run the football, Everett Withers is glad to let him pass instead.
Defensive coordinator Everett Withers is scheming to make Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor throw the ball, something he did just 14 times last weekend against Georgia Tech. It’s no wonder that’s the game plan: Withers’ secondary intercepted four passes in UNC’s win over Rutgers and the Tar Heels are fourth in the conference in pass defense efficiency (106.8). Said Withers: “Our whole objective in this thing is to try to make him beat us with his arm.”
Not rocket science here. UNC got tremendous play out of the secondary/linebackers and that came versus a 3rd year starter at QB in Mike Teel. So you have a classic standoff here. UNC will try to everything in their power to stop the run and force Taylor to pass the ball. Taylor still has some development to do here and the Heels defensive backs will relish the opportunity to go after some poorly thrown balls. The Hokies on the other hand will make this an ugly ground game which has two effects. The first is, any mistakes Taylor might make passing are limited and secondly, it keeps the UNC offense, namely Brandon Tate off the field, by eating up the clock.
Games are decided by players making plays, but the chess match between the coaches will be equally important in this one. Which is usually the case in a contest between to even opponents.
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Easier said than done. UNC Defensive ends will be key to containing Taylor.
If the Hokies try to turn it into an “ugly game” I believe Taylor’s mistakes will actually be amplified, but will be limited due to the lower number of pass attempts. Seems like a confusing statement, but it makes sense to me.
I fully expect the Heels to come out with a zone defense, to allow the backers and secondary to keep one eye in the backfield at all times.
Furthermore, and Coach Davis has been harping on it all week, discipline is the key. Not only in the secondary, but along the defensive line as well. We HAVE to have gap control, so that Taylor does not have running lanes up the middle of the field.
I believe this will be a game where, similar to Rutgers, we allow some yardage, but we try to prevent the big play at all costs. As long as our offense comes to play, it might be a game where we trade their FGs for our TDs.