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No. 8 Tar Heels lose safety Sam Smiley to Achilles injury

Its one loss came against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the very first game of 2015 (you know, when the team had some expectations). Ultimately, if the Tigers can hold UNC to a couple of field goals instead of touchdowns, that might be enough for Deshaun Watson to prevail.

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Last week: 4-0 straight up, 3-1 against spread: Season: 21-0, 17-4. “That is not who we are”, said co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott. “And North Carolina’s the same way”.

Here is what to watch for in the Palmetto-Tar Heel states showdown in Charlotte and other championships around the nation. Second, FSU and Notre Dame, though ranked ahead of the Heels now, will not factor into this discussion. There is no denying that, so they, along with Oklahoma (who is also a shoe-in) will also not be referenced here.

In this scenario the only upset comes from the Heels. Alabama Crimson Tide 3.

7 p.m. (Ch. 4): This top-five matchup packs the strongest punch. The disappointing thud which was UNC during the season opener against SC left the Tar Heels with an uncertain season and a tough climb against perception and self doubt. Carolina has the No. 106 run defense in the country, allowing over 208 yards per game on the ground. “It’s going to be a challenge for both teams, no question”.

– Clemson coach Dabo Swinney still can’t wrap his head around it: The Tigers routinely lose the turnover battle and yet win the game.

His coaches have broken down the probabilities: commit more turnovers in a game than the other team and you win 16 percent of the time.

Conference championship week is here and we are just days away from the playoff committee announcing its selections. Stanford would also have a championship. As the Hurricanes prepare for their upcoming bowl game, Richt will begin the process of formalizing a staff that he and the university hopes can get The U back on the national stage, a platform from which they’ve been missing for more than a decade. Though the Buckeyes won by more (18 as opposed to three by the Heels), they were actually trailing when the Hokies QB was injured. However, with North Carolina and Williams, the centrality of this topic simply can not be overstated. Watson, 20, a sophomore, made his first start in September 2014 in a 50-35 victory against UNC.

This scenario changes things slightly. Clemson has been on top of the rankings for the last four weeks and look to stay on top following this week. Again this leaves the fourth spot up for grabs.

Still, the Tigers are the only squad in the conference who can match North Carolina’s considerable firepower. Florida, which produced just a safety in an ugly loss last Saturday to Florida State, won’t be able to score on offense.

The five power conferences have staged a combined 60 football championship games, this season included.

Having seen the Buckeyes and Tar Heels in person against Virginia Tech, I will tell you Ohio State wins that proverbial eye test. Plus, the Buckeyes’ last-second loss to Michigan State is far more palatable than UNC’s to SC.

This is what is called the total chaos scenario.

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Which Big Ten team will push its way into the playoff? . In this scenario I believe that UNC would be the three seed. If the Heels can find a way to create some chaos, grab an extra possession or two and maybe a short field, they’ve got a great shot to win. “There really isn’t. They’ve got a dynamic quarterback that can throw it and run it. They’re good up front”. The Tigers have had outstanding teams each of the last three years, but because they were in the same division as a Florida State program that was one of the most dominant in the nation, they found themselves on the outside looking in when it came to the ACC title game.

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables will be ready for UNC