i was actually checking the stats too this am while smack talking with my bumblee bee bro-in-law.

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&div=IA&site=org

i also saw these two interesting stats:

#7 first down allowed (11.33/game)
#63 turnover margin (0.0 net/game)

along with the high 3rd down conversion ranking, the high first down allowed ranking re-emphasizes the effectiveness of our defense.

also, the low turnover ranking highlights UNC’s different defensive strategy this year from the last. last year, we were highly ranked in this category and our just-rush-4 strategy relied on our DBs intercepting the ball. and we all complained about the big yardage we gave up using this strategy. i believe our defense is significantly more fundamentally sound because it is so dominant without relying on winning the turnover margin.

yes, so our opponents haven’t been great so far like an alabama or another acc top team. but uconn beat down a baylor team, which beat wake, so… our schedule isn’t all that bad. at least not nc state bad.

btw, why not give our other punter a chance? the son of the “great” jeff feagles?

also, my bro-in-law insists that if dwyer doesn’t play, GT’s offense won’t be affected much since it’s primarily the (chop)blocking that lets their rushing game go. i disagree but i actually am more worried about the big play ability of nesbitt to d.thomas combo. any thoughts?

I really have no real expectations of winning championships, but wow, watching UNC play football these days is certainly easier to stomach than a few years ago.

^Agree with the above, I’m sure Barth and Shallock are kicking right now……….