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Carolina
vs. Syracuse prediction
Raleigh__ Here it is the second game of the season and the Heels still have me guessing. After last week's comedy of errors, who could blame me? But I'm shrugging it off as a fluke or just a really bad case of first game jitters. What is necessary is for coaches and players to realize what went wrong and take those steps to correct some obvious problems. And look ahead. John "the Beast" Bunting stated at his news conference this week, "We have to focus on what is important and that is the next game. That is the business of this game, whether it be the college level or the high school level, you have to get ready to play the next game. We need to focus on finding a way to win." I bet center Jason Brown and quarterback Slinger Durant have had a few reps this week. That exchange should be automatic. If not, the whole offense gets out of sync. Jason has had his first game and Slinger has had a chance to realize he was pressing. Now it's time to relax a bit more and let the game come to you. Watch out, Carolina fans! And I believe they will settle down. Discounting the turnovers, the Heels could almost move the ball at will. Post-game remarks by Durant included, "They couldn't stop us. We moved the ball up and down the field all day long. It's just unfortunate that we had a couple mishaps, and that cost us the game". Well, a couple mishaps is an understatement, but I understand positive thinking. The Heels will not rack up 353 yards passing this week. But I'm hoping Lewis and Parker will both have a break out game. It's not a good thing for Tailback U. to have a quarterback as their leading rusher. The line must meet the challenge for us to be successful. And we will need the run to beat Syracuse. So what will Syracuse try to do? Run, run, and run... and let's throw a bit of option in the mix. Yes, they have an adequate passing game, but I think they'll try to use the pass to establish the run. And this will be the first real test for the Heels' standard defensive package. Fortunately, Syracuse had trouble sustaining drives last week against BYU. Our defense must make sure that continues. Bunting stated, "This is a first class program. They have a good offense with a quarterback that can throw the ball well and run with it. They have several formations and will create a lot of chaos on the field. Our defense is going to have to do a lot of thinking out there. We are going to have a great week of practice in order to prepare for them and be at our best. I think we can take advantage of their youth on the offensive line and create some havoc there. So it will be an interesting match-up." We saw a lot of good things from the Heels last week. Who can forget that goal line stance? With the defense knowing they have moxie, I believe they will come out more confident and hungry. They'll be playing on carpet for their first game as a unit. So now they will definitely have to think faster with the faster play action being a factor. Are they growing? Bunting said prior to last game, "With so many young players taking the field for the first time; many of those players have practice extremely well, but there is a huge difference between practicing and then going out there and playing in a game." Yes it is. The Ram Man says it's time to get it right. I'm going to do a re-play from last week. I'm still looking for a wide open, up-n-down the field type of game. Considering our offense can move the ball so well and our defense is still in a learning curve, the points will light up the board. Our special teams may win the game with Rabbit (Michael Waddell) returning for a touchdown. They say the Carrier Dome can be loud. Well, I'll find our this Saturday. But I'd bet nothing could compare to a ticked-off John "the Beast" Bunting and Jim Webster ringing in your ear. Adjustments have been made. And the Heels are fully motivated. I had the right score last week, just the wrong game. Let's go with Carolina 41 - Syracuse 30. Go Heels!
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