SBNation.com - North Carolina vs. Cincinnati, 2013 Belk Bowl: Heels sprint past Bearcatshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2013-12-29T10:02:35-05:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/49549672013-12-29T10:02:35-05:002013-12-29T10:02:35-05:00Star power and failure
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<figcaption>Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>If field goals are failures, there was a lot of failure on Saturday. Still, Teddy Bridgewater, Ryan Switzer, Tyler Lockett, and (in the booth) Jesse Palmer came up big for fans on the last active college football Saturday of the season.</p> <h3>175</h3>
<p>Tyler Lockett's listed weight. The Kansas State junior receiver might be, pound for pound, the best player in college football, and if he returns for his senior season (and one assumes he will), KSU fans have only his minimal pounds to thank for it.</p>
<p>Lockett is in no way of typical NFL size, and his name doesn't exactly come up in mock-Draft discussions, but he might be the strongest combination of speed and route-running in college football right now.</p>
<p>And he showed off all of his tricks in KSU's 31-14 win over Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. He caught 10 of 11 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns, he broke off a double move for an easy score and pounded out some tough yards on shorter catches, and any time KSU needed yards, quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/202641/jake-waters" class="sbn-auto-link">Jake Waters</a> simply looked for No. 16. Waters could have thrown to Lockett 10 more times if he'd needed to, but he didn't need to.</p>
<h3>78</h3>
<p>Teddy Bridgewater's completion percentage in Louisville's 36-9 win over Miami in the Russell Athletic Bowl. In a game in which neither team could run the ball -- Miami's Gus Edwards and Dallas Crawford combined for 73 yards on 23 carries, and while Louisville's Senorise Perry averaged 7.7 yards, Dominique Brown went for 42 in 16 -- the game came down to quarterbacking. Bridgewater's usually going to win that contest.</p>
<p>Assuming this was indeed Bridgewater's final game as a Cardinal, he chose one hell of a way to go out. Though Louisville vanished from the national consciousness after its upset loss to UCF, the Cardinals reappeared on Saturday, just in time for Bridgewater to go 35-for-45 for 447 yards and three touchdowns.</p>
<p>His first pass attempt of the night was a sack that resulted in a safety. The next 45 were basically 10 yards here, 10 yards there, and an occasional scrambling lollipop.</p>
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<p>Bridgewater's performance spoke for itself, though that didn't prevent announcers Bob Wischusen and Rod Gilmore from attempting to plump it up even more. The Russell Athletic Bowl narrative was clearly "Bridgewater might be the No. 1 pick!" and Wischusen couldn't let a pass go by without throwing in a "well-thrown" or "finessed" with every pass, following every completion with variations of, "it's throws like that that get NFL scouts' attention," or, "such good decision-making going to the check-down option like that."</p>
<p>Teddy was clearly great. We didn't need the help in seeing it. (It's hard to avoid repetition in a four-hour broadcast, yes, and this team was otherwise just fine. But still.)</p>
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<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3706325/bloglinks.css"></p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> More on Saturday's early winners <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<a href="http://www.onefootdown.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Notre Dame Fighting Irish blog One Foot Down</a> <a href="http://www.tarheelblog.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">North Carolina Tar Heels blog Tar Heel Blog</a>
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<h3>47</h3>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/fplus2010">Michigan's F/+ ranking in Rich Rodriguez's third year in charge</a>. The Wolverines went 7-6 that season, and Rodriguez was let go.</p>
<p>Granted, the bones of the current Michigan team are stronger -- there's a lot of youth here, and though they will probably fall in the final rankings, the Wolverines did rank 32nd in F/+ heading into bowls -- but in terms of symmetry, it just went 7-6 in Brady Hoke's third year. Even for a young team, there were enough blue-chippers on the field for Michigan that one should have expected the Wolverines to show better than they did against a Kansas State team that was ready and sound but only good, not elite.</p>
<p>One can easily raise question about the performances of both coordinators in 2013. And the offensive line, though (again) incredibly young, was baffling in its ineffectiveness. Michigan rushed 14 times for 67 yards against KSU, leaving almost the entire game plan in the hands of true freshman quarterback Shane Morris. Morris acquitted himself reasonably well but still averaged just 5.0 yards per pass attempt.</p>
<p>When Michigan ran a ton of misdirection and mini-trick plays on its opening drive and still managed to only kick a field goal, you had to know the Wolverines were in trouble. With Kansas State both grinding out seven-minute drives and scoring touchdowns at the end of them, the Wolverines were, indeed, in trouble.</p>
<p>And while we're on the topic of third-year coaches, I know there is come growing impatience in South Florida regarding Al Golden's performance, but his Hurricanes went 9-4 and will likely finish in the F/+ top 35 this season. That's far from amazing, but it's also pretty solid improvement after Golden's first two squads ranked 40th and 55th.</p>
<p>He won't have many sanctions-relat<wbr></wbr>ed excuses moving into the future, but this season was a step forward. As long as he takes another one next year, he's fine.</p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> More on Saturday's late winners <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<a href="http://www.cardchronicle.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Louisville Cardinals blog Card Chronicle</a> <a href="http://www.bringonthecats.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Kansas St. Wildcats blog Bring On The Cats</a>
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<h3>21</h3>
<p>Field goal attempts on Saturday. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/28/5250482/washington-marshall-syracuse-bowl-game-stats">I wrote on Saturday that, in essence, field goals are failures</a>.</p>
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<p>Averaging under about 4.0 or 4.5 points per trip inside your opponent's 40-yard line is pretty bad overall. In this sense, settling for field goals at all is a bit of a failure, since the most you can score on a field goal is, obviously, three points. BYU scored one touchdown in six trips, settled for four field goals (making three), and ran out of clock at the end of the game on a sixth trip. Washington, meanwhile, had its own issues, scoring only 24 points in six trips of its own. But the Huskies scored three touchdowns and got a fourth off of the aforementioned kick return. That gave them some leeway while kicking one field goal and turning the ball over on downs twice.</p>
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<p>In four bowls on Saturday, teams attempted 21 field goals (they made 16), and offenses scored 18 touchdowns. Offenses also allowed two safeties, for that matter.</p>
<p>It was a conservative day of ball. Rutgers (a heavy underdog that needed to figure out ways to steal points, mind you) kicked the dreaded 18-yard field goal; Notre Dame jumped offside on the kick, but Rutgers elected to keep the points instead of going for it on fourth-and-goal from the half-yard line. And in a less extreme example, Michigan, down 21-6 with a minute left in the first half, elected to punt from near midfield on fourth-and-three.</p>
<p>Why lose quickly when you can lose slowly?</p>
<h3>16</h3>
<p>Points scored by North Carolina in a less-than-four-minute span in the first quarter of the Belk Bowl. That's good; more notable is that all three units -- offense, defense, special teams -- got involved. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134300/romar-morris" class="sbn-auto-link">Romar Morris</a> scored to cap an 11-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. Three minutes later, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114451/kareem-martin" class="sbn-auto-link">Kareem Martin</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134299/brandon-ellerbe" class="sbn-auto-link">Brandon Ellerbe</a> converged to blow up Cincinnati quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35725/brendon-kay" class="sbn-auto-link">Brendon Kay</a> in the end zone for a safety. And then <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/202443/t-j-logan" class="sbn-auto-link">T.J. Logan</a> returned the ensuing free kick for a touchdown.</p>
<p>UNC jumped out to leads of 16-0 and 29-3 and cruised from there, 39-17. Each time Cincinnati did something well, UNC would simply respond in kind.</p>
<p>The young Tar Heels handled adversity beautifully in 2013, responding to a 1-5 start with a five-game, bowl-clinching winning streak. But in Charlotte, in Belk-land, UNC decided it was done with drama. The Heels built an early cushion and never even thought about relinquishing it.</p>
<h3>9</h3>
<div class="pullquote">An encouraging sign for a 2014 Irish offense that returns most of its weapons and Everett Golson. <span></span>
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<p>Notre Dame players who caught a 10-yard pass on Saturday in the 29-16 Irish win in the Pinstripe Bowl.</p>
<p>Rutgers' secondary has been shuffled around all year and was a major dark spot for the team as a whole in 2013; knowing they didn't have the pieces, the Scarlet Knights chose to play soft coverage all the way down the field, bending as long as possible before stiffening and holding Notre Dame to field goals. It worked for a while -- the game was tied at 13-13 at halftime, though Rutgers' offense was just about done scoring -- but Notre Dame could complete a 10- or 15-yard comeback pass anytime it wanted to, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113577/tommy-rees" class="sbn-auto-link">Tommy Rees</a> had a strong day of decision-making and general accuracy in his final Irish start.</p>
<p>Rees completed 27 of 47 passes for 319 yards, a decent average of 6.8 yards per pass attempt. It wasn't spectacular, and he did get impatient and throw deeper passes into coverage at times, but he still distributed the ball well, completing five passes to T.J. Jones and Chris Brown, four to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/143547/troy-niklas" class="sbn-auto-link">Troy Niklas</a>, three to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/143531/davaris-daniels" class="sbn-auto-link">DaVaris Daniels</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/203741/tarean-folston" class="sbn-auto-link">Tarean Folston</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/143535/cam-mcdaniel" class="sbn-auto-link">Cam McDaniel</a>, etc.</p>
<p>Notre Dame had too many weapons for Rutgers' typically outmanned defense, and unlike certain points in 2013, the Irish used them all. It was an encouraging sign for a 2014 Irish offense that returns most of its weapons and 2012 starter <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133679/everett-golson" class="sbn-auto-link">Everett Golson</a>.</p>
<p>Rutgers' Chas Dodd, meanwhile, went out on a less happy note. The on-and-off starter for Rutgers completed 10 of 28 passes for 156 yards, a touchdown, three picks, and four sacks. Yards per pass attempt: 3.9. Take away a single bomb to Brandon Coleman, and the average sinks to 2.4 yards. He did rush six times for 55 yards and engineered three first-half scoring drives, but the magic pretty quickly ran out.</p>
<h3>7</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.gatorzone.com/football/bios.php?year=1999&bio=palmer.html" target="_blank">Jesse Palmer's number at Florida</a>.</p>
<p>I could vent about how the former Spurrier quarterback says only the most predictable, new-school-Craig-James things, how we can talk for two minutes at a time and say nothing, how it frustrates me to no end that he gets so much screen time for saying nothing (oh, but that hair...), how he brings nothing to the table ... but I would be wrong.</p>
<p>He does bring something to the table: <a href="www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/12/28/5251834/jesse-palmer-performed-the-heimlich-to-save-chris-fowlers-life" target="_blank">he saves the lives of really, really good announcers</a>. And for that, despite at one point saying that Tommy Rees had an "unbelievable" career at Notre Dame (and apparently meaning it in a positive way), Palmer was the MVP of Saturday. And maybe December altogether.</p>
<h3>5</h3>
<p>Punt return touchdowns for UNC freshman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/168893/ryan-switzer" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Switzer</a> in 2013. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/28/5251724/uncs-ryan-switzer-ties-ncaa-record-with-this-punt-return-touchdown">That ties the NCAA mark</a>, but the fact that a freshman did that isn't the crazy part. The crazy part is … <i>he had zero heading into November</i>.</p>
<p>Switzer had shown potential in this regard, ripping off a 41-yarder against East Carolina in September, but the breakout came in Chapel Hill against Virginia, and then he just kept right on breaking out. One score against Virginia. Two against Pittsburgh. One more against Old Dominion. In his final 13 punt returns of 2013, Switzer averaged 31.4 yards per return and returned 38 percent of them for scores. That is patently absurd.</p>
<p>The touchdown on Saturday might have been my favorite.</p>
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<p>Some Cincinnati coverage guys thought that he was bluffing and that the ball was actually going to land near the goal line, so they just ran on by. Some thought Switzer was going to do the smart thing and call for a fair catch, since the ball seemed to be hanging in the air for about eight seconds. Never assume these things, Cincy. Not when some precocious freshman is scoring on every third punt return and is looking to tie a record.</p>
<p>When a team is punting to a great return man, there is an aura of anticipation in the air, even though he's probably not actually going to break a big one. When he indeed breaks a big one, that is one of the greater rushes in football. Ryan Switzer was one sustained rush over the final third of the college football season.</p>
<h3>4</h3>
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<p>Current and future <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23B1G&src=hash">#B1G</a> members 0-4 to start bowl season with Stanford, Clemson and three ranked SEC teams still to come.</p>
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) <a href="https://twitter.com/slmandel/statuses/417186706794639360">December 29, 2013</a>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/29/5253046/notre-dame-unc-louisville-kansas-state-bowl-game-statsBill Connelly2013-12-28T19:45:00-05:002013-12-28T19:45:00-05:00UNC OL Hurst breaks leg in Belk Bowl
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<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>Terrible news for the potential high NFL Draft pick. No word on the length of his recovery process yet.</p> <p><i>Update:</i></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The official injury update on James Hurst: suffered a non-displaced fibula fracture in his left leg.</p>
— Carolina Football (@TarHeelFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/TarHeelFootball/statuses/417092920664424448">December 29, 2013</a>
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<p>North Carolina offensive lineman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114441/james-hurst">James Hurst</a> sustained what appears to be a serious leg injury in the first quarter of the Belk Bowl against Cincinnati. Hurst was down on the ground for several minutes, and had to be helped off by trainers. He wasn't able to put any weight on his left leg, and it doesn't look like he'll be returning. Hurst is a senior, so it looks like his career as a Tar Heel may be over.</p>
<p>Hurst is considered an NFL prospect, and our own Mocking the Draft <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/11/22/5132706/2014-nfl-draft-top-100">ranks him as the 50th-best player</a> in the upcoming draft, which pegs him as a mid-to-late second round draft pick. He is also ranked as the sixth-best offensive tackle in the class by Mocking the Draft.</p>
<p>North Carolina has jumped out to a quick 16-0 lead over the Bearcats, and will hope to hold on to it without the services of their star offensive lineman</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/28/5251478/james-hurst-injury-north-carolina-belk-bowlPeter Berkes2013-12-28T18:34:43-05:002013-12-28T18:34:43-05:00Tar Heels roll to easy Belk Bowl victory
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<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<p>The Tar Heels returned two kicks for touchdowns and were a consistent force in the Cincinnati backfield.</p> <p>North Carolina was one of the best teams in the ACC during the second half of the season and carried that momentum into its bowl game. The Tar Heels showed little problem with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/cincinnati-bearcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bearcats</a> in the Belk Bowl, defeating Tommy Tuberville's squad 39-17 in Charlotte.</p>
<p>On third-and-goal, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134300/romar-morris" class="sbn-auto-link">Romar Morris</a> burst through the hole and into the end zone to give North Carolina the 7-0 lead. Two drives later, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114451/kareem-martin" class="sbn-auto-link">Kareem Martin</a> broke through two Bearcat offensive linemen to bring down <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35725/brendon-kay" class="sbn-auto-link">Brendon Kay</a> in the end zone for a safety. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/202443/t-j-logan" class="sbn-auto-link">T.J. Logan</a> returned the ensuing safety punt 78 yards for a touchdown and the Tar Heels suddenly led 16-0 in the first quarter.</p>
<p>The two teams traded scores in the second quarter -- unfortunately for the Bearcats, they traded a field goal for a touchdown. Tony Miliano's 34-yard field goal put Cincinnati on the board, but <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134296/marquise-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Marquise Williams</a>' 3-yard touchdown pass to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134313/jack-tabb" class="sbn-auto-link">Jack Tabb</a> four minutes later made the score 23-3.</p>
<p>The Tar Heels started out the third quarter with a bang, as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/168893/ryan-switzer" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Switzer</a> returned a sky-high punt 86 yards for his fifth punt return touchdown of the season, <a href="http://t.co/VQtIB8baUC">tying an NCAA record</a>.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3777777/switzer.gif"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3777777/switzer_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Switzer_medium"></a></p>
<p>Cincinnati tried to make it a game with two of the next three touchdowns, but were stopped short near the goal-line with about ten minutes left in the game. That allowed North Carolina to run down clock and put the game out of reach.</p>
<p><b>Box Score Hero: </b>T.J. Logan.<b> </b>The running back carried 15 times for 77 yards while also returning three kicks for 120 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p><b>Rankings Ramifications: </b>Neither team was ranked, and neither will be.</p>
<p><b>But Did They Cover? </b>North Carolina was a 3-point favorite, so they did.</p>
<p><b>For More On This Game: </b>Head to <a href="http://www.tarheelblog.com/">Tar Heel Blog</a> for the UNC perspective and <a href="http://www.downthedrive.com/">Down the Drive</a> for more from Cincinnati.</p>
<h4>More from <a href="http://sbnation.com/college-football">SB Nation college football</a>:</h4>
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<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/22/5234986/bowl-game-scores-tv-schedule-2013-2014?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Bowl season TV schedule, with scores and recaps along the way</a></p>
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<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-longform">Long CFB reads</a> | <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/longform/2013/12/17/5217634/sharing-derek-sheely-a-helmet-to-helmet-hit-took-the-life-of-a-22?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">The death of a college football player</a></p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/28/5251444/2013-belk-bowl-results-north-carolina-cincinnati-results-scorePete Volk2013-12-28T17:51:07-05:002013-12-28T17:51:07-05:00Larry Fedora channels Drake
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dTOsgzi4PK1hXLkz-3tcS3wdGso=/0x177:2703x1979/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25862505/459604745.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Started 1-5, now we here. </p> <div>Today is Belk day. North Carolina knows that Belkening is not to be taken for granted; it is earned, and after having been down, they are proud to be where they are:</div>
<div><br></div>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/d251Aquf-xY" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>It's not exactly <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/12/8/5187440/mark-dantonio-rich-homie-quan-michigan-state">Michigan State's Rich Homie Quan obsession</a>, but it does appear as if Larry Fedora is quoting Drake here.</p>
<p>In honor of <a href="https://twitter.com/TXenakis0880/status/416998104484040704">Holly Anderson's stream of Belk raps in her timeline, </a> let us throw it back to a younger, less omnipresent Drake with our rendition of BELK I EVER HAD</p>
<div><br></div>
<div>Belk-y you my everything</div>
<div>Got all I ever wanted</div>
<div>Their selection's real big</div>
<div>Bigger than you ever done it</div>
<div>They be stockin everything</div>
<div>Other stores ain't ever on it</div>
<div>I want this in leather</div>
<div>I swear I could spend whatever on it (but I don't have to due to Belk's low, low prices)</div>
<div>Baby you the Belk</div>
<div>You the Belkin Belk</div>
<div>You the Belkin Belk</div>
<div>You the Belkin Belk</div>
<div>Belk I ever had</div>
<div>Belk I ever had</div>
<div>Belk I ever had</div>
<div><br></div>
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/28/5251752/larry-fedora-channels-drake-pre-belk-bowlRodger Sherman2013-12-28T17:37:17-05:002013-12-28T17:37:17-05:00Switzer ties NCAA record with fantastic touchdown
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CoqurdQc4AenIF6oNTdzJXSFJmg=/0x128:4000x2795/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25862075/201301116_rvr_al8_348.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The freshman also set the UNC career record for punt return touchdowns and punt return yards.</p> <p>In the third quarter of Sunday's Belk Bowl between Cincinnati and North Carolina, John Lloyd skied a punt toward Tar Heel returner <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/168893/ryan-switzer">Ryan Switzer</a>. Everyone in the stadium knew of Switzer's penchant for explosive returns, and perhaps no one was more aware than Lloyd, whose punt hung in the air for ages, normally guaranteeing a fair catch.</p>
<p>Ryan Switzer isn't interested in your guarantees.</p>
<p>The freshman let multiple defenders pass him by -- one even briefly touched him as he jogged past -- before hauling in the ball and bursting up the middle for the 86-yard touchdown, cementing his place in the record books with his fifth punt return touchdown of the season:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3777777/switzer.gif"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3777777/switzer_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Switzer_medium"></a> <br id="1388269870118"></p>
<p>Switzer joins Chad Owens (Hawaii, 2004), Curtis DeLoatch (North Carolina A&T, 2001), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">LeRoy Vann</a> (Florida A&M, 2009), James Rooths (Shepherd, 1998) and Chris McKinney (Guilford, 2001) as the NCAA record-holders with five punt returns for touchdowns in a single season.</p>
<p>The FBS career record is eight, by Texas Tech's Wes Welker and Oklahoma's Antonio Perkins. The NCAA record is 10, by Rooths.</p>
<p>All five of Switzer's touchdowns came in the second half of the season -- one against Virginia, two against Pittsburgh and one against Old Dominion -- before the Belk Bowl record-tying effort today.</p>
<p>Punt returning isn't the only thing Switzer does, as he's caught 29 passes (three for touchdowns) and even thrown a scoring pass this season.</p>
<p>North Carolina has a bright weapon on their special teams unit for the future -- Switzer's five punt return touchdowns is a <a href="https://twitter.com/kenmedlin/status/417060463760117760">career record</a> for the Tar Heels, and he's only a freshman.</p>
<h4>More from <a href="http://sbnation.com/college-football">SB Nation college football</a>:</h4>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/28/5251724/uncs-ryan-switzer-ties-ncaa-record-with-this-punt-return-touchdownPete Volk2013-12-28T08:00:02-05:002013-12-28T08:00:02-05:00Belk Bowl: Cincy vs. UNC viewing guide
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iXVubZq0mUN-JmG12lImcz4Qx9w=/0x469:3091x2530/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25180681/20131203_bsd_sd2_481.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The game will kick-off December 28 at 3:20 p.m. ET on ESPN.</p> <p>Two teams who had to replace their starting quarterbacks due to injury early in the season will face off in this year's Belk Bowl, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels">North Carolina Tar Heels</a> play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/cincinnati-bearcats">Cincinnati Bearcats</a>.</p>
<p>Cincinnati started the year with a blowout win over a Big Ten opponent and a blowout loss to another -- neither of whom made bowl games. After the win to Purdue and loss to Illinois, the Bearcats won eight of their next nine games, with their only loss coming to South Florida (who was winless at the time). Cincinnati had an outside shot at the AAC title and a BCS bowl bid in the last week of the season, but a loss to Louisville ended those hopes.</p>
<p>North Carolina had a very poor start to the year, opening 1-5 with a blowout loss to East Carolina. The Tar Heels then went on a roll, defeating Boston College and Pitt during a five-game winning streak that brought them bowl eligibility. In the season finale, they lost by two to Duke, giving their fierce rivals the division title.</p>
<h3>The numbers</h3>
<p><b>Rankings and records:</b> Neither team is ranked. North Carolina went 6-6 in the regular season, with a 4-4 conference record good for fifth in the Coastal Division. Cincinnati boasts a 9-3 regular season record, with a 6-2 record in AAC play good for third in the conference. The Tar Heels have won both games in the series history.</p>
<p><b>Vegas:</b> North Carolina is a <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/cincinnati-north-carolina-odds-december-28-2013-659969">three-point favorite</a>. The over/under is 56.5 points.</p>
<p><b>Weather:</b> Mid 40s.</p>
<h3>Three names to know</h3>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134314/eric-ebron">Eric Ebron</a></b>. One of the best tight ends in the country, Ebron has 55 catches for 895 yards and three touchdowns this season for the Tar Heels, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/11/25/5143878/eric-ebron-nfl-draft-2014-north-carolina-football">has already declared for the NFL Draft</a>.</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134296/marquise-williams">Marquise Williams</a></b>. The sophomore had a strong season after taking over for injured starter <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76498/bryn-renner">Bryn Renner</a>, throwing for 14 touchdowns, running for six more and even catching a score.</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35725/brendon-kay">Brendon Kay</a></b>. Kay played in all 12 games this season, taking over for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113148/munchie-legaux">Munchie Legaux</a> and throwing for 22 touchdowns while running for six more.</p>
<h3>Two things at stake</h3>
<p>After a disastrous start to year two of Larry Fedora's tenure, North Carolina would clinch a winning season with a victory here.</p>
<p>Cincinnati wasn't one of the talked-about teams in the AAC this year, and a win over a major conference bowl opponent could improve the conference's stock in the eyes of the nation.</p>
<h3>How to witness</h3>
<p><b>TV:</b> 3:20 p.m. ET on ESPN.</p>
<p><b>Radio: </b><a href="http://sportsaffiliates.learfieldsports.com/affiliates/north-carolina">Here's</a> a list of affiliates for North Carolina. <a href="http://www.gobearcats.com/ot/cinn-tv-radio-affiliates.html">Here's</a> one for Cincinnati.</p>
<p><b>Online streaming:</b> <a href="http://watchespn.com">WatchESPN</a>.</p>
<p id="paragraph4"><b>Location:</b> Charlotte, N.C.</p>
<p id="paragraph5"><b>Stadium:</b> Bank of America Stadium (73,778)</p>
<p id="paragraph6"><b>Last year's score:</b> Cincinnati 48, Duke 34</p>
<p id="paragraph7"><b>Last year's attendance:</b> 48,128</p>
<p id="paragraph8"><b>Last year's TV rating:</b> 2.6 (3.9 million viewers)</p>
<p id="paragraph9"><b>Last year's payout for each school:</b> $1.7 million</p>
<p id="paragraph10"><b>Team with the most all-time appearances:</b> North Carolina has appeared in the Belk Bowl three times. This will be the school's fourth appearance.</p>
<p id="paragraph11"><b>Team with the most all-time wins:</b> Virginia, N.C. State and Boston College have each won the bowl twice.</p>
<h3>Further reading</h3>
<p>Head to <a href="http://www.downthedrive.com/">Down the Drive</a> for all your coverage on Cincinnati, and <a href="http://www.tarheelblog.com/">Tar Heel Blog</a> for the North Carolina perspective.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/28/5206844/cincinnati-north-carolina-belk-bowl-2013-tv-schedulePete Volk2013-12-27T13:00:02-05:002013-12-27T13:00:02-05:00The big Belk Bowl breakdown
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uAbaXm0fuO6Uof7hdOgjG4i0c1I=/0x150:2486x1807/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25444033/20131026_kdl_bc5_015.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Records and numbers tell you two different stories about the Belk Bowl (Dec. 28, 3:20 p.m. ET, ESPN). Can Cincinnati prove skeptical numbers wrong? Can a young (and seemingly getting younger) UNC squad learn to close games? And what's the over/under on Ryan Switzer punt return touchdowns: three? Four?</p> <p>When the bowl pairings come out, my father, who will probably watch about four of them, peruses the list, just looking at rankings and records. He knows there are better ways to do it (ahem), but in fairness, it's not like most websites are showing F/+ rankings next to team names, and he doesn't care enough to look them up. (He's what you would call a casual fan, at best.)</p>
<p>On Monday after the bowl pairings were announced, he remarked to me just how different a lot of the records were in bowl games this year; he also mentioned that it probably meant the bowls weren't going to be very good. I scoffed and tried to tell him how awesome bowls <i>always</i> are, but that didn't get me very far.</p>
<p>This is a long way of saying that when he looked at the bowl matchups, odds are good that the Belk Bowl was one of the biggest offenders on his list. Meanwhile, it's the clearest example to me that records don't tell you even 10 percent of the story.</p>
<p>(Okay, maybe they tell you 10 percent. But probably not more.)</p>
<p>In 2013, Cincinnati was a thoroughly mediocre team, beating a series of welterweights, before turning into a pretty damn good team late. Meanwhile, North Carolina spent most of the season playing at an above average level while figuring out creative ways to falter in close games. As a result, Cincinnati is 9-3 with a No. 64 F/+ ranking that is dragged down significantly by special teams. North Carolina, meanwhile, is 6-6 and 40th.</p>
<p>With the Belk Bowl basically being played close to UNC's backyard, the 6-6 team from a BCS conference is actually a slight favorite over the 9-3 team from a BCS conference that had a chance at a BCS bowl until the final weekend of the season. Records don't tell us much, at the end of the day.</p>
<p>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3706325/bloglinks.css"></p>
<div class="blog-links-compact-container">
<h4>
<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> More from our team sites <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
</h4>
<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container">
<a href="http://www.tarheelblog.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">North Carolina Tar Heels blog Tar Heel Blog</a> <a href="http://www.downthedrive.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Cincinnati Bearcats blog Down The Drive</a>
</div>
</div>
<h3>How they got here</h3>
<h4>Cincy's season to date</h4>
<p>Cincinnati nearly beat 11-1 Louisville, falling at home in overtime on December 5. The Bearcats beat Rutgers, UConn, Temple, and Purdue by an average score of 43-15.</p>
<p>They also barely beat a dreadful Miami (Ohio) team, sneaked past SMU by three points, and lost to both South Florida (by six points) and Illinois (by an incredible 28).</p>
<p>Tommy Tuberville's first squad in southwestern Ohio definitely played better late in the year than it did in September, but the team's overall quality is difficult to read. Regardless, a Belk-level bowl is probably about right for the 'Cats this time around.</p>
<h4>UNC's season to date</h4>
<p>The quality didn't change that much, but the results certainly did.</p>
<p>Larry Fedora's second season in Chapel Hill began with five losses in six games. The Tar Heels were usually competitive -- they fell by a total of 22 points to Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Miami -- but just couldn't make plays down the stretch. Oh yeah, and they got romped by 24 points at home by East Carolina.</p>
<p>But as the schedule eased up, the Heels kept plugging away and found some wins. They won five games in a row, thumping fellow bowl team Boston College and winning at Pittsburgh to catch back up to 6-5 before a two-point, season-ending loss to Duke dampened the mood a bit.</p>
<h3>Data dump</h3>
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Team</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>Record</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b>BCS</b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/fplus2013" target="_blank"><b>F/+ Rk</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/odds" target="_blank"><b>Line</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/fplus2013" target="_blank"><b>Off F/+ Rk</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/fplus2013" target="_blank"><b>Def F/+ Rk</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/fplus2013" target="_blank"><b>ST F/+ Rk</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cincinnati</td>
<td>9-3</td>
<td align="right">NR</td>
<td align="right">64</td>
<td align="right"></td>
<td align="right">50</td>
<td align="right">49</td>
<td align="right">119</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>North Carolina</td>
<td>6-6</td>
<td align="right">NR</td>
<td align="right">40</td>
<td align="right">-3</td>
<td align="right">34</td>
<td align="right">54</td>
<td align="right">73</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff2013" target="_blank"><b>Std. Downs S&P+</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff2013" target="_blank"><b>Pass. Downs S&P+</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff2013" target="_blank"><b>Rushing S&P+</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff2013" target="_blank"><b>Passing S&P+</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feioff" target="_blank"><b>First Down Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feioff" target="_blank"><b>Explosive Drives</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feioff" target="_blank"><b>Methodical Drives</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cincy Offense</td>
<td align="right">84</td>
<td align="right">22</td>
<td align="right">88</td>
<td align="right">38</td>
<td align="right">19</td>
<td align="right">53</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNC Defense</td>
<td align="right">45</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
<td align="right">37</td>
<td align="right">60</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">118</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Adj. Line Yards</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Opportunity Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Power Success Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Stuff Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Adj. Sack Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Std. Downs Sack Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Pass. Downs Sack Rate</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cincy Offense</td>
<td align="right">82</td>
<td align="right">82</td>
<td align="right">79</td>
<td align="right">79</td>
<td align="right">11</td>
<td align="right">44</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNC Defense</td>
<td align="right">60</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">56</td>
<td align="right">44</td>
<td align="right">37</td>
<td align="right">58</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff2013" target="_blank"><b>Std. Downs S&P+</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff2013" target="_blank"><b>Pass. Downs S&P+</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff2013" target="_blank"><b>Rushing S&P+</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaoff2013" target="_blank"><b>Passing S&P+</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feioff" target="_blank"><b>First Down Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feioff" target="_blank"><b>Explosive Drives</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feioff" target="_blank"><b>Methodical Drives</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNC Offense</td>
<td align="right">32</td>
<td align="right">52</td>
<td align="right">74</td>
<td align="right">18</td>
<td align="right">75</td>
<td align="right">76</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cincy Defense</td>
<td align="right">48</td>
<td align="right">98</td>
<td align="right">56</td>
<td align="right">89</td>
<td align="right">7</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Adj. Line Yards</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Opportunity Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Power Success Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Stuff Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Adj. Sack Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Std. Downs Sack Rate</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/2/19/3980438/advanced-college-football-stats-glossary" target="_blank"><b>Pass. Downs Sack Rate</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNC Offense</td>
<td align="right">64</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
<td align="right">100</td>
<td align="right">41</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
<td align="right">35</td>
<td align="right">41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cincy Defense</td>
<td align="right">53</td>
<td align="right">36</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">43</td>
<td align="right">53</td>
<td align="right">66</td>
<td align="right">10</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><b></b></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/fpa" target="_blank"><b>Field Position Adv.</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feist" target="_blank"><b>FG Efficiency</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feist" target="_blank"><b>Punt Efficiency</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feist" target="_blank"><b>Kickoff Efficiency</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feist" target="_blank"><b>Punt Return Efficiency</b></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/feist" target="_blank"><b>Kick Return Efficiency</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cincy Special Teams</td>
<td align="right">43</td>
<td align="right">125</td>
<td align="right">107</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">109</td>
<td align="right">99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNC Special Teams</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
<td align="right">106</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">98</td>
<td align="right">27</td>
<td align="right">112</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3608425/mustreads.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
<h4>Cincy's biggest advantages:</h4>
<p><b>Cincy is patient</b>. The Bearcats are happy to take their time scoring points and are one of the best at long, methodical scoring drives. Meanwhile, UNC's relatively conservative defense is hospitable in that regard. In their first year with offensive coordinator Eddie Gran, UC has attempted balance on standard downs and said "Go make a play" to quarterback Brendan Kay on passing downs.</p>
<p>Kay gets good pass protection and has a hell of a passing-downs target in <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113155/anthony-mcclung" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony McClung</a> (11.1 yards per target on PDs), so this has worked out pretty well for the Bearcats despite a lack of consistent success on the ground. UNC is pretty good on passing downs, but without a stellar pass rush, it might not be able to stop Kay from finding receivers if or when UC falls behind schedule.</p>
<p>And on the other side of the field...</p>
<p><b>Cincy is patient</b>. The Bearcats are really good at preventing explosive drives and forcing you to plod for scores. With UNC's sophomore quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134296/marquise-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Marquise Williams</a> taking over for injured Bryn Renner in early-November, the Heels' offense became more explosive (Williams averages 14.3 yards per completion to Renner's 11.6) and less patient (completion rate: Renner 66 percent, Williams 58 percent; interception rate: Williams 6 percent, Renner 3 percent).</p>
<p>Like Duke was in the regular season finale, Cincy is pretty good at preventing the thing Williams wants to do the most. That's a good thing. And if the Heels find themselves in short-yardage situations at times, Cincy could still find success against a UNC line that is both decent and glitchy.</p>
<p>Less good: Williams is far less sack-prone than Renner, and Cincy lives to pin its ears back on passing downs. Silverbery Mouhon is a pass-rush specialist at end (9.5 sacks, seven hurries, and only one non-sack tackle for loss), and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133765/nick-temple" class="sbn-auto-link">Nick Temple</a> (13.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks) is a blitz threat from the middle linebacker position. Cincy is pretty passive in the secondary on passing downs, forming a safe umbrella and giving away easy, shorter gains if you can avoid the pass rush.</p>
<p>Receiver Quinshad Davis and tight end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134314/eric-ebron" class="sbn-auto-link">Eric Ebron</a> are lovely passing-downs targets (combined on such downs: 55 targets, 35 catches, 537 yards), so if the Bearcats send Mouton, Temple, and company after Williams, they better bring him down. And they might.</p>
<h4>UNC's biggest advantages:</h4>
<p><b>The kids are alright</b>. Sorry. That was an obvious writer cliche, but in my defense, I don't think I've ever used it before. Anyway. Since Marquise Williams took over for Renner, the passing game has become more explosive and less reliable, but the running game has just become <i>better</i>. Williams is a solid run threat, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and carrying about 14 times per game (as the starter), and freshman running back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/202443/t-j-logan" class="sbn-auto-link">T.J. Logan</a> has become a serious threat, averaging 7.1 yards per carry in the last five games.</p>
<p>UNC's season rushing numbers aren't great, but the ground game has come to life of late. If the Heels can find their way on the ground on standard downs, that will help to both a) open up play-action passing, and b) keep Cincy's pass rush on ice. Both would be very good for UNC.</p>
<p><b>Cincy is pretty abominable in the special teams department</b>. Special teams make up about 14 percent of the F/+ equation, so for you to rank 50th in Off. F/+ and 49th in Def. F/+ but 64th overall, your special teams unit has to be one hell of an albatross. And Cincy's kind of is.</p>
<p>The kick coverage is good, but <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113151/tony-miliano" class="sbn-auto-link">Tony Miliano</a> has made only five of nine field goals under 40 yards (and one of six over 40), the return games are nonexistent (Ralph David Abernathy IV has failed to stand out in the return game, the run game, <i>or</i> the passing game in 2013), and Cincy opponents are averaging 12.9 yards per punt return.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and UNC punt returner <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/168893/ryan-switzer" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Switzer</a> has taken four of 21 returns to the house. The freshman from Charleston, W. Va., became a household name, at least within ACC country, with his late-season exploits, and he could have an opportunity to shine in Charlotte.</p>
<h3>Overreactions for 2014</h3>
<p><i>We tend to overreact to particularly positive or negative bowl results when it comes to projecting forward for the next season. How might we overreact to this game?</i></p>
<p>Some of Cincy's bigger names are seniors -- Brendan Kay, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142515/greg-blair" class="sbn-auto-link">Greg Blair</a>, defensive tackles <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/79633/jordan-stepp" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Stepp</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133778/adam-dempsey" class="sbn-auto-link">Adam Dempsey</a> -- but the Bearcats will return a decent core of talent, and with Louisville moving to the ACC and UCF potentially losing quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128013/blake-bortles" class="sbn-auto-link">Blake Bortles</a> (who has become a potential top-10 Draft pick seemingly overnight), the Bearcats will likely be the AAC favorites next season regardless of what happens in Belk Land.</p>
<p>UNC, meanwhile, could make a statement. Despite being a favorite, a lot of people will look at a Belk win as an upset, and when you combine that with how incredibly young some of the Heels' new breakout talents are -- Williams is a sophomore, Logan and Switzer are freshmen -- it's possible that expectations will be relatively high for UNC despite the loss of some key pieces: left tackle <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114441/james-hurst" class="sbn-auto-link">James Hurst</a>, defensive end <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114451/kareem-martin" class="sbn-auto-link">Kareem Martin</a>, safety <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114429/tre-boston" class="sbn-auto-link">Tre Boston</a>, probably Ebron, etc. The Heels are young enough overall that a so-called upset could lead to some decent overreaction.</p>
<h3>Summary</h3>
<p><b><a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2013/12/16/5215562/college-football-bowl-predictions-fplus" target="_blank">F/+ Projection</a></b>: UNC 33, Cincy 26<br><b>Win Probability</b>: UNC 70%</p>
<p>This is a game in which numbers and records tell two drastically different stories. With a new coach and an injured quarterback, Cincinnati took a while to get rolling before looking good late. Meanwhile, UNC underwent an identity makeover in November but maintained form in terms of overall quality.</p>
<p>Despite records, the Heels have been the more consistently decent team in 2013, but their youth and their ability to falter late might give the Bearcats the edge if this game is still close in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Still, the numbers like the Heels a little more than the head might, picking them to win two of three times. So prepare for UNC-related overreaction in the offseason. And prepare to be surprised, Dad.</p>
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https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/12/27/5228226/2013-belk-bowl-preview-cincinnati-north-carolinaBill Connelly2013-12-27T12:00:08-05:002013-12-27T12:00:08-05:00UNC vs Cincinnati: Belk Bowl odds, predictions
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qEtZARV-2bTxP-z8oGRkMhb-VRo=/0x210:3090x2270/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25300781/20131022_bsd_sd2_642.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>UNC is 6-6, but favored to beat the Belk Bowl odds against 9-3 Cincinnati. Read the Odds Shark preview to see why this game might be a good OVER bet. This story was provided to SB Nation by OddsShark.com.</p> <p>The Cincinnati Bearcats won the Belk Bowl last year and return as underdogs here against the North Carolina Tar Heels for the 2013 edition.</p>
<p>The total has gone OVER in five of Cincinnati's last seven games overall and in three of North Carolina's last four. The total has also gone OVER in four out of UNC's last five bowl games, according to the Belk Bowl betting odds history. And with two top-25 passing attacks on display, this game could end up being a shootout as well. Cincinnati finished with 313.8 yards per game, 15th best in the FBS this year, while UNC's passing attack finished 23rd in the nation with 286.3 passing yards per game.</p>
<p>North Carolina's season was doomed by a slow start as the team went a disappointing 1-5 (2-4 ATS) over its first six games. But over the last six games of the season, North Carolina (ACC, 6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS, 4-8 OU) turned things around with a 5-1 run that included road wins over NC State and Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Cincinnati (AAC, 9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS, 7-5 OU) is 5-2 SU in its last seven bowl games and 2-0 SU and ATS over their last two, including a 48-34 win in last year's game against Duke. Considering the fact that the Bearcats finished the year in the top 20 nationally in both total yards on offense with 482.3 per game and total yards allowed on defense with just 313.2 per game, the season could have actually gone a lot better than the records would indicate.</p>
<p>Disappointing road losses to Illinois and South Florida prevented this season from being something special for the Bearcats, but they still finished the year on a respectable 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS run including road wins over Rutgers and Houston.</p>
<p>North Carolina on the other hand is just 1-4 SU in five bowl appearances since winning the Peach Bowl back in 2001. <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/cincinnati-north-carolina-odds-december-28-2013-659969" style="background-color: #ffffff;">North Carolina is a 3-point favorite</a> playing this game in its home state at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The <a href="http://sports.bovada.lv/sports-betting/college-football-lines.jsp" style="background-color: #ffffff;">NCAA college football betting</a> line was holding steady as of Dec. 17.</p>
<p>While both teams ended their regular seasons on losses to quality opponents, both still come in with plenty of momentum after putting together strong second halves to their seasons. Both teams should be comfortable getting into a passing battle in this one, which could make it a very fun one to watch.</p>
<p><b>Computer Prediction</b>: 38-32 Cincinnati (from <a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/belk-bowl-betting-cincinnati-bearcats-vs-north-carolina-tar-heels--december-28-2013">Odds Shark Belk Bowl betting preview</a>)</p>
<p></p>
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