Posted: 11/18/2008 by David Walker
Assuming T.J. Yates is at full strength, he should resume his position as starting quarterback for the last two games of the regular season. Carolina's hopes of an
ACC title took a serious blow last weekend in Maryland, and are (again) on life support.
A shot in the arm in the form of Yates reentering the lineup could be just what the doctor ordered.
Sexton struggled mightily against the
Terps (10-24, 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception), missing receivers too often high and behind. The conditions were obviously far from perfect, and his counterpart Christ Turner wasn't much better (16-31, 147 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions). By the way, did you know he is from California?
But Turner made big plays, most frequently with is arm when needed but most importantly with his legs on a late-game fourth down scramble.
Sexton couldn't produce much at all to keep the chains moving in the second half and the Tar Heels went away from running the ball to open things up for him.
The Maryland loss is not all on Cam Sexton. Football is the ultimate team sport and had Casey Barth shaded his kick an inch or two to the right Carolina might have won. Had Greg Little hauled in a pass on third down to put the Heels close to field goal range in the third quarter perhaps some points could have been produced. There was plenty of blame to go around Saturday.
But the Tar Heels still have a chance to win 10 games in Butch Davis' second year, which would be a major accomplishment for what is still a very young team. A team that has been without its most dangerous offensive weapon since the sixth game. A team that has been guided by a backup quarterback.
No one in the
ACC, or anywhere else, is going to feel sorry for Carolina that Brandon Tate is out for the rest of the season or that T.J. Yates went down in week three. Especially not a Wolfpack team that has been decimated by injuries from the get go.
But Yates should start Saturday to give Carolina the best chance at still having a great season, if not a special one. Playing at home this weekend could let Yates be more comfortable than he might be starting again on the road. If he looks rattled, uncomfortable, or shaky guess who's waiting on the sidelines?
Both games to end the season are against teams that would like nothing more than to spoil whatever is left of a great season for the Heels. It will let Yates get a game under his belt before going on the road to close out the regular season next week at Duke.
Sexton has not played well on the road since he led the Heels to a win at Miami. The Maryland game was almost an exact replica of the game in Charlottesville, Virginia. Carolina can't afford another ineffective offensive performance on the road this season.
He has played well enough to get the Heels some wins, but Yates as the ability to lead this team like no one else on the roster. He was named starter from the get go because he's the best option the Heels have at quarterback.
Davis announced an open competition for the starting job yesterday, after previously stating Sexton would remain the starter. Perhaps reexamining the game tape triggered the flip-flop. Or perhaps the coaches put their heads together and decided to give Yates a chance. Or maybe Davis just wants to give State two quarterbacks to think about.
Whatever the reason it is a wise move.
It's great to know that Davis and staff have two viable options at quarterback, and the Heels should feel great about having Sexton play quarterback. But only if Yates can't go.
David Walker
Tar Heel Blogger
david@thebigtailgate.com