CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- By year’s end, the problems for North Carolina’s defense seemed pretty clear.
The Tar Heels finished the year 12th in the ACC in sacks per game. Their rate of getting to the quarterback on blitzes was the worst among Power 5 teams. And, of course, there was the Russell Athletic Bowl, when Baylor ran roughshod past an overmatched defensive front.
And then defensive coordinator Gene Chizik looked at the tape when the season was over, and a funny thing happened. UNC’s defensive line actually didn’t look so bad.