Finally the games begin in college football. In the eyes of the media, the Big Four are the "Bottom Four." Any hope the local schools harbor of playing above these expectations will require wins on Saturday.
The home opener is particularly critical for North Carolina, which under John Bunting is getting out of the gate at a rate of one win and four losses. An inability to run the football has hurt this program. Although Carolina regularly turned out thousand yard rushers in the 70's and 80's, since 1994 the Heels have produced just one thousand yard back. Bunting, who has always wanted to "run the ball downhill," feels this may be the season, with a healthy Ronnie McGill and Barrington Edwards rotating behind fleet quarterback Joe Dailey.
Although the offense of new coordinator Frank Cignetti is better known for what it accomplished passing the football at Fresno, Bunting believes it will also generate an improved running game. The Tar Heels will need that against Rutgers, which moved the ball inside, outside, and through the air in 2005. The Scarlet Knights are not well known outside the Big East, but they are the kind of opponent that has given Carolina trouble in recent years. With powerful Virginia Tech visiting Chapel Hill next week, the Rutgers game could be pivotal.
N.C. State gets a visit from Appalachian, and be sure, the Mountaineers are no Eastern Kentucky. Appalachian, under Jerry Moore, returns a veteran offensive line, and over the past 12 years has generally moved the football against all grades of defenses. ASU's defense is not big, but features a big play defensive end in Marques Murrell of Fayetteville. That said, NC State has superior athletes and depth. The Wolfpack should become one of the ACC's best running teams this fall, riding its outstanding tandem of Andre Brown and Toney Baker-both products of North Caroina High Schools. QB Marcus Stone has worked hard to improve his techniques, and the Pack's big run game should set up the play action passing attack that Stone seems most comfortable with. State should win over App by a couple of touchdowns (and needs to) but can't commit large numbers of turnovers against this team.
Duke's opponent, Richmond, is ranked in the top 15 in 1AA. The Spiders are not as good as Appalachian, ranked near the top in most 1AA polls. But they're good enough that Duke cannot look at this game as a gimme. Duke's defense should be much improved this season. On offense, the Blue Devils return three good running backs. But the loss of quarterback Zack Asack, due to plaigarism, as well as the departure of the entire offensive line due to graduation, leave major questions marks regarding Duke's ability to move the ball. Duke needs a great defensive effort Saturday, because its opportunities to win against a very difficult schedule, don't come very frequently.
Wake Forest should win its opener against Syracuse. The Deacons return more starters than any other school in the ACC. Historically, opponents who are not familiar with Wake's blocking schemes and multiple option running attack, find the offense difficult to stop sight unseen. And Syracuse faces a major re-building effort in the Big East.
This could be one of those rare Saturdays when all Big Four teams win.
