UNC could slow tempo against Georgia Tech triple-option

UNC coach Larry Fedora isn't likely to ease up on his Red Bull consumption -- but he could slow the Tar Heels' offensive pace on Saturday against Georgia Tech. ROBERT WILLETT

CHAPEL HILL — What’s the best defense against a ball-control, run-oriented offense? It might just be keeping that offense off the field. North Carolina is likely to attempt to utilize that strategy on Saturday when the Tar Heels host Georgia Tech at Kenan Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets, of course, are a triple-option team that runs the vast majority of the time. They rank fourth nationally in rushing offense, and 38th nationally in time of possession. UNC, with its up-tempo, no-huddle spread offense, ranks 111th in time of possession. No surprise there.

The Tar Heels’ offense is built on speed, and designed for fast-paced drives that create mismatches. For one game, though, UNC coach Larry Fedora might decide to ease the manic pace that he requires. I wrote about that in a story we ran today, which you can read right here.

As you’ll see when you read it, Fedora has emphasized the importance this week of sustaining drives.

He said:

“It’s more about for us, sustaining drives. Now, if you score in a short period of time, you’re going to take it. You’re not going to turn that away. You’re not going to say, no, I’m not going to take the points. But there is some thought about taking care of the football and making sure we sustain drives.”

Does that mean that Tar Heels would consider slowing things down, and taking a little more time between plays than they normally would? I asked Fedora. And, credit the guy, he started to answer.

He said: “Yeah, I think that …”

And then he stopped himself. Fedora smiled.

“Well, I don’t know,” he said with a sense of coyness. “We’ll see. I mean, come on … I mean, you don’t want me to answer that, really, do you?”

His answer will come soon enough.