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UNC FOOTBALL THREAD//
As the UNC Football program continues to progress and improve, comparisons will be drawn to the Clemson program.
But today, I'd like to introduce another program to compare UNC to - the Oklahoma Sooners.
As the UNC Football program continues to progress and improve, comparisons will be drawn to the Clemson program.
But today, I'd like to introduce another program to compare UNC to - the Oklahoma Sooners.
1/ Why Oklahoma? They've been a great program, making the CFB Playoff 4 of the last 6 years.
And, they've done it without *elite, elite* recruiting and without an *elite* defense.
Instead, with one very elite position unit, a Top-15 SP+ offense, they've thrived.
And, they've done it without *elite, elite* recruiting and without an *elite* defense.
Instead, with one very elite position unit, a Top-15 SP+ offense, they've thrived.
2/ Here are Oklahoma's SP+ rankings each of the 4 years they've made the CFB Playoff
'15: Offense (ranked 11), Defense (17)
'17: Offense (1), Defense (43)
'18: Offense (11), Defense (84)
'19: Offense (3), Defense (48)
Why does this matter? This is a blueprint for UNC to follow
'15: Offense (ranked 11), Defense (17)
'17: Offense (1), Defense (43)
'18: Offense (11), Defense (84)
'19: Offense (3), Defense (48)
Why does this matter? This is a blueprint for UNC to follow
3/ This season (after N.C. State W), UNC is ranked 5th in SP+ on offense and 39th on defense.
Is that good enough to be a CFB playoff contender? Since 2014, 11 out of 24 playoff teams have been ranked Top-15 in both O & D.
I don't know how quickly UNC can get to *that* level
Is that good enough to be a CFB playoff contender? Since 2014, 11 out of 24 playoff teams have been ranked Top-15 in both O & D.
I don't know how quickly UNC can get to *that* level
4/ But, since '14, 7 teams have made the CFB playoff with an offensive or defensive SP+ unit ranking above 31
'14 Oregon, '16 Ohio State, '18 Notre Dame, and Oklahoma 4 times
That's a model for UNC to look to follow - an elite unit (offense) & a *good-enough* unit (defense)
'14 Oregon, '16 Ohio State, '18 Notre Dame, and Oklahoma 4 times
That's a model for UNC to look to follow - an elite unit (offense) & a *good-enough* unit (defense)
5/ Crucially, Oklahoma has also done it without *elite* FB recruiting
Class of '14: Ranked 14th, per 247
'15: 15th
'16: 19th
'17: 8th
'18: 9th
'19: 6th
'20: 12th
(I must note Oklahoma signed some stud grad-transfer QBs as well)
Class of '14: Ranked 14th, per 247
'15: 15th
'16: 19th
'17: 8th
'18: 9th
'19: 6th
'20: 12th
(I must note Oklahoma signed some stud grad-transfer QBs as well)
6/ I think UNC can recruit well, but I don't think UNC can ever recruit like Alabama or Georgia (Top-5 class every year).
So, Oklahoma provides a model for the Tar Heels - recruit well, have an elite (Top-10 ish in SP+) offense, put together a solid (30th-50th in SP+) defense
So, Oklahoma provides a model for the Tar Heels - recruit well, have an elite (Top-10 ish in SP+) offense, put together a solid (30th-50th in SP+) defense
7/ How far away is UNC from Oklahoma's level? Pretty far.
Oklahoma has sustained success - from 2010-19, the Sooners won less than 10 games once, in 2014 (8 games).
But UNC's recruiting is picking up. And they have an elite offense & stud QBs (Howell, Criswell, Maye) right now
Oklahoma has sustained success - from 2010-19, the Sooners won less than 10 games once, in 2014 (8 games).
But UNC's recruiting is picking up. And they have an elite offense & stud QBs (Howell, Criswell, Maye) right now
8/ So in closing, my thesis - Clemson is the program UNC will look to emulate and be measured against. But, don't forget about the Oklahoma-way either
Even if UNC can't ever get to elite defense & recruiting year-after-year like Clemson does, there's still a shot at CFB glory
Even if UNC can't ever get to elite defense & recruiting year-after-year like Clemson does, there's still a shot at CFB glory
