OU Passing Game vs. UNC Pass Defense

The Tarheel secondary will undoubtedly have its hands full against a deep and experienced OU receiving corps that ranks among the best in the nation. The good news for the 'Heels is that they do return a group of experienced backs from last year's team, including starting corners Errol Hood (5-11, 193, Sr.) and Michael Waddell (5-11, 169, Jr.) The duo combined for 3 ints and 24 pass break ups last season. Reserves Derrick Johnson (5-9, 172, So.) and Kevin Knight (5-8, 175, Jr.) also saw plenty of playing time in 2000.

Strong safety DeFonte Coleman (6-1, 218, Jr.), returns after starting in 8 games last season and finishing 3rd on the team in total tackles. However, he has been supplanted by senior Billy-Dee Greenwood (6-1, 188), who started the first 3 games last season before he was bumped in favor of Coleman. The only secondary position devoid of starting experience is free safety, where sophomore Dexter Reid (6-0, 187) takes over. Despite not starting, Reid finished 5th on the team in total tackles and 3rd in passes broken up, with 6. Reid will be backed by true freshman Chris Curry (5-11, 185).

All 8 players can expect plenty of reps on Saturday against a group of wideouts that combined for 197 receptions, 2657 yards, and 17 touchdowns last season. The biggest problem this group always poses for defenses is the lack of a "go-to" guy. Considering that Antwone Savage, Curtis Fagan, Andre Woolfolk, Josh Norman, and Damian Mackey each caught between 30 and 50 passes last season, it's obvious that any 1 of the 5 is capable of having a big game on any given day. This prevents defenses from concentrating too heavily on 1, 2, or even 3 of these talented players.

In addition to their abundance of experience in the secondary, the 'Heels have a couple of other reasons to be optimistic about their ability to slow down the Sooner passing attack. One is the inexperience of OU quarterback Nate Hybl, who will be making his first collegiate start on Saturday. UNC will undoubtedly do its best to confuse and befuddle the junior with a variety of defensive looks. The other reason for optimism is the fact that they play in the ACC, where wide-open, spread offenses are a way of life. The Tarheels finished 48th in the nation last season in pass defense, which is certainly not going to intimidate the Sooners. However, with a defense that has been weened on the wide open offenses of Florida State and Clemson, don't expect the Tarheels to exactly cower in fear.

With the change in coaching staffs at Carolina, there is some mystery surrounding what type of defense the Sooners will face on Saturday. Whether Nate Hybl faces an aggressive, blitzing attack, or the dreaded "umbrella" defense employed by teams late last season (or a combination of both) is anyone's guess. You can guarantee that Sooner coaches have prepared for both possibilities.

The Carolina pass rush is led by All-American Julius Peppers (6-6, 285), who collected a nation-leading 15 sacks in 2000. While Peppers gets all of the attention, senior end Joey Evans (6-4, 264), no doubt benefitting from the presence of Peppers, posted 8 sacks of his own. Throw in senior tackle Ryan Sims' (6-4, 291) 6 sacks, and it becomes obvious that the Sooner offensive line has its work cut out for it on Saturday.

Offensive line coach Mark Mangino may have made his most brilliant move to date as a Sooner coach, when he had senior Howard Duncan and redshirt freshman Wes Sims switch positions. Now, instead of Peppers and/or Evans welcoming a freshman to the wonderful world of D-1 football, they will be facing an experienced and talented duo of tackles in Duncan and All-American candidate Frank Romero. In his last game, Romero dominated another ballyhooed pass rusher in Lomardi winner Jamal Reynalds. The Sooners will need a similar performance from Romero on Saturday.