Quick Lane Bowl 2014: Preview, Predictions for Rutgers vs. North Carolina
The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6) will meet the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-5) in the 2014 Quick Lane Bowl.
It was the inaugural season for Rutgers in the Big Ten, and it started quite well for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers got off to a 5-1 start before dropping four of its final six games.
The Scarlet Knights dealt with several injuries throughout the season, but to be bowl-eligible in their first season in the Big Ten is a good accomplishment.
The high point of Rutgers' 2014 season was its victory over Michigan back on October 4.
For the Tar Heels, it was another disappointing season. At 6-6 (4-4 ACC), it goes down as another mediocre season in a year where the ACC Coastal Division was UNC's for the taking.
Back-to-back wins over Pittsburgh and Duke in November were the highest points in UNC's season.
This is the first year that Ford Motor Company is the official sponsor for this bowl game, formerly known as the Motor City Bowl.
- When: Friday, December 26, 2014
- Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: ESPN Radio
- Spread: The spread is not currently available; we will update once it does become known.
Tale of the Tape
1 of 7From a numbers standpoint, this is an evenly matched game. Both teams struggle to run the ball, but Rutgers' struggle with turnovers could prove to be the difference in the game.
Both starting quarterbacks have thrown 20 touchdown passes on the season.
Rutgers Keys to Victory
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Limit Turnovers
Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova has played four years and has had an issue with turnovers all four seasons. For his career, Nova has 71 touchdowns and 51 interceptions. That's a lot of interceptions for a college quarterback.
If the Scarlet Knights can get some kind of running game going, it will help their chances. Rutgers can ill-afford to be one-dimensional with Nova under center.
The problem is, Rutgers struggled to run the ball this season, finishing No. 86 in rushing offense. Fortunately for the Scarlet Knights, UNC was No. 114 against the run.
Stop Marquise Williams
Williams isn't a star, but he does make North Carolina's offense go. He is the Heels' leading rusher and completed 63 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns in 2014.
Rutgers needs to get pressure on Williams early, confuse him and clog up some of those rushing lanes. If the Scarlet Knights contain Williams and keep him in the pocket, they have a good shot at winning this one.
North Carolina Keys to Victory
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Run the Ball
UNC wasn't a very good rushing team in 2014. The quarterback was the team's leading rusher. However, the Heels do not lack talent in the backfield.
T.J. Logan needs more opportunities. The speedster finished with 472 yards on the ground this season and also caught 23 passes.
Head coach Larry Fedora does a good job of spreading the offense out and should do so in the bowl game, with Logan and Elijah Hood picking up several carries. It will make things easier for Williams.
Pressure Nova
It's a proven formula: If you pressure Gary Nova, he will make mistakes. UNC has had issues getting to the quarterback on a consistent basis, though. For the season, the Heels finished with 22 sacks in 12 games. Junior defensive end Jessie Rogers led the Heels with six sacks.
Defensive coordinator Dan Disch needs to find more creative ways to get pressure on Rutgers in the bowl game. A turnover or two could be the difference between a win and a loss.
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Rutgers Key Players
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Wide Receiver Leonte Carroo
Carroo, a 6'1" junior, caught 53 passes for 1,043 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 19.7 yards per catch. Not only is Carroo quarterback Nova's best option on third down, he is also the Scarlet Knights' best deep threat.
Carroo was pretty consistent in 2014, but he did struggle against more physical opponents like Michigan State and Wisconsin. Expect offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen—one of the best in the game—to find different ways to get Carroo involved.
Defensive End Kemoko Turay
At 6'6", 235 pounds, Turay is a big, fast and explosive pass-rusher. He led Rutgers with eight sacks on the season. The Scarlet Knights need to make sure Turay does not get exposed versus the run. As a team, Rutgers finished No. 105 against the run.
Turay's athleticism allows him to move around and possibly spy Marquise Williams.
North Carolina Key Players
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Quarterback Marquise Williams
The junior quarterback is the key to this game for both teams. If Rutgers can limit the damage Williams does with his legs, the Scarlet Knights will win. If Williams uses his legs to create opportunities in the passing game, UNC will be tough to beat.
Williams sometimes struggles with his accuracy, but he is pretty good throwing down the field. Expect Fedora to take some shots deep against the Scarlet Knights.
Wide Receiver Quinshad Davis
If you look at Quinshad Davis, you see a player who should be a physical mismatch every time he steps on the field. He has prototypical size (6'4", 215 lbs), but he hasn't always played to those measurables.
He is UNC's second-leading receiver behind Ryan Switzer. Davis led the team with six touchdown receptions in 2014.
In the last three games, Davis combined for 15 receptions and two scores. Fedora needs to find ways to get Davis matched up in one-on-one coverage down the field. Allow Williams to find him with some jump-ball opportunities. Davis has the potential to take over a game.
What They're Saying
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UNC head coach Larry Fedora is grateful for the opportunity to play in the Quick Lane Bowl, per UNC's official website:
"We’re thankful for the opportunity to play in the Quick Lane Bowl and continue our season. Detroit is a passionate football city and our team will be excited for the chance to practice and play in an NFL stadium. We will be working hard over the next few weeks to take advantage of this opportunity to finish the season strong.
"
Scarlet Knights athletic director Julie Hermann is elated for Rutgers and the success the school had in its first year of play in the Big Ten, courtesy of Rutgers' official website:
"We're thrilled to participate in the Quick Lane Bowl at a world-class venue against a power five opponent in North Carolina. This is a tremendous reward for our program following a successful first season in the Big Ten.
The opportunity to be in Detroit is based largely on the record-setting support we had from our fans this season. We believe our fan base will look forward to the opportunity to show up in force at Ford Field, one of the top NFL venues in the country, where it will be 72 degrees at kickoff.
"
Prediction
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This has the makings of a game that will come down to the wire. Both teams struggle to run the ball, and both teams can't stop the run. There will be many opportunities for game-changing turnovers for both teams.
Gary Nova has issues with turnovers. To his credit, he's been much more efficient this season. Marquise Williams can use his legs to bail himself out of certain situations. That should be the difference in the game.
Prediction: North Carolina 27, Rutgers 24
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