Happy kickoff week to everybody. I was thinking of doing a WSC wk1 thread but I'll just stick to what I have a decent handle on. Hoping others will do threads on the other WSC games.
NC offense: For as much talk as there is around Thorne, the NC o-line is what sticks out to me the most. The average height/weight of the o-line is 6'4 260, anchored by Hallstrom who is a nasty hog. They also have the D1 transfer from Bolingbrook at WR plus two other returning WRs who play well. Then add a D1 QB who runs nice read options and can put the ball on the money 40 yards downfield and I think it's fair to say that at least on paper this offense looks like the real deal. One question I'm having is Will the huge but less experienced NC o-line mesh and take control up front?
NC defense: Looks like NC is reloading a bit on D but they return two solid DBs including a beast of a safety who was all area last year. I'm also seeing a 6'5er at DE that I think is a wrestler. That always helps. I assume that NC seniors who went undefeated at lower-levels will be expected to step up and fill in on defense as needed. But if there's gonna be a kink in the armor of NC it will be upfront on defense.
HC offense: HC will look to pound the rock behind their RB Skokna this year and an experienced o-line that averages about 6'3 245, give or take a couple personnel/formation changes. The interior line is where the experience is at and so I think the success of the run this friday will turn on how the new bodies at T and TE step up and whether they can find their inner hog. There is some noticeable but unproven talent coming in at WR/slot and so we'll see if HC doesn't try to spread the ball out more than last year. But on the whole I think the success of this offense will turn on establishing the run, controlling the ball and wearing defenses down.
HC defense: last year I impressed by the success of the defense given how young they were. Now they all return with the exception of a new DE and two new safeties. Really excited to see them play against this NC offense right out the gate week 1. As I said, the NC o-line is huge but a tad inexperienced. I think another key factor is whether the HC pass rush is going to be able to pressure Thorne and help out the DBs. Last year the pass rush was great and HC will need it this friday.
Last thought: As Edgy and Mike Clark pointed out in their podcast, NC is most likely going into this game with a must-win mentality. I think NC is a slight favorite but so long as HC can establish the run I expect this game to be a 4 quarter battle. What are the other DVC/DKC and WSC guys thinking about this one? What story lines am I missing about this matchup? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
NC offense: For as much talk as there is around Thorne, the NC o-line is what sticks out to me the most. The average height/weight of the o-line is 6'4 260, anchored by Hallstrom who is a nasty hog. They also have the D1 transfer from Bolingbrook at WR plus two other returning WRs who play well. Then add a D1 QB who runs nice read options and can put the ball on the money 40 yards downfield and I think it's fair to say that at least on paper this offense looks like the real deal. One question I'm having is Will the huge but less experienced NC o-line mesh and take control up front?
NC defense: Looks like NC is reloading a bit on D but they return two solid DBs including a beast of a safety who was all area last year. I'm also seeing a 6'5er at DE that I think is a wrestler. That always helps. I assume that NC seniors who went undefeated at lower-levels will be expected to step up and fill in on defense as needed. But if there's gonna be a kink in the armor of NC it will be upfront on defense.
HC offense: HC will look to pound the rock behind their RB Skokna this year and an experienced o-line that averages about 6'3 245, give or take a couple personnel/formation changes. The interior line is where the experience is at and so I think the success of the run this friday will turn on how the new bodies at T and TE step up and whether they can find their inner hog. There is some noticeable but unproven talent coming in at WR/slot and so we'll see if HC doesn't try to spread the ball out more than last year. But on the whole I think the success of this offense will turn on establishing the run, controlling the ball and wearing defenses down.
HC defense: last year I impressed by the success of the defense given how young they were. Now they all return with the exception of a new DE and two new safeties. Really excited to see them play against this NC offense right out the gate week 1. As I said, the NC o-line is huge but a tad inexperienced. I think another key factor is whether the HC pass rush is going to be able to pressure Thorne and help out the DBs. Last year the pass rush was great and HC will need it this friday.
Last thought: As Edgy and Mike Clark pointed out in their podcast, NC is most likely going into this game with a must-win mentality. I think NC is a slight favorite but so long as HC can establish the run I expect this game to be a 4 quarter battle. What are the other DVC/DKC and WSC guys thinking about this one? What story lines am I missing about this matchup? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
