It was always going to be a tough ask for Carolina to take down #5 Texas A&M without their two 1,000-yard rushers, leading receiver, and top tackler. UNC’s defense, with a late season renaissance of youth, was actually better positioned to play a big game without Chazz Surratt. But the offense was losing too many playmakers, and the only rushers of consequence that gave its attack balance.
Sam Howell, Carolina’s star sophomore quarterback, was nearly up to the task. It did not look that way early in the game. Howell had a curious interception on UNC’s first drive that gave the Aggies possession in the red zone.