Week 6: Connecticut at North Carolina

Connecticut is in the Top 25. North Carolina wants to be there. And a Tar Heels home victory over an undefeated Huskies team may just turn the trick.

Butch Davis and company have already downed Big East member Rutgers and, last week, ACC foe Miami. The only game holding UNC out of the rankings is a 20-17 home loss to Virginia Tech.

This will prove interesting because of the teams’ quarterbacks.

Last week, UConn moved to 5-0 by winning at Louisville. In the process, though, quarterback Tyler Lorenzen broke his foot and had surgery on Sunday. (Tight end Steve Brouse also had surgery after breaking a fibula.)

In Lorenzen’s place is expected to be sophomore Zach Frazer, a transfer from Notre Dame.

North Carolina’s T.J. Yates, meanwhile, sustained a broken ankle two weeks ago. But Cameron Sexton started against Miami and fared well. He completed 11-of-19 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

Expect Connecticut to lean heavily on running back Donald Brown, who entered last week’s game at Louisville as the nation’s leading rusher – and actually improved his numbers. Brown is averaging 181.2 yards per game and holds a slight edge on Michigan State’s Javon Ringer (179.4). Brown’s 11 rushing touchdowns is second only to Ringer’s 12. The Huskie back has hit 100 yards rushing by halftime in all five games this season.

If you’re looking for an X factor, watch North Carolina wide receiver and special teams demon Brandon Tate, who has an NCAA record 3,549 combined yards on kickoff and punt returns.

Notes:

North Carolina receiver Hakeem Nicks needs 25 yards to become the sixth receiver in North Carolina history to top 2,000 yards. Nicks is also tied with Octavus Barnes for the most 100-yard receiving games (seven) at North Carolina.

Connecticut tight end Steve Brouse suffered a broken fibula against Louisville and will miss 6 to 8 weeks.

The Huskies are 4-8 against active ACC members, with a 0-1 record against North Carolina.

Key Player (Huskies) – Zach Frazer, QB

Let’s face it, running back Donald Brown won’t be able to do it all at Kenan Stadium before a hungry Tar Heel crowd. Frazer will have to provide a threat if UConn is to have a chance.

Key Player (Tar Heels) – Hakeem Nicks, WR

The 6-1 junior wideout couldn’t be handled by Miami. He had five catches for 133 yards and a score. If he repeats that against Connecticut, North Carolina should be in fine shape.

North Carolina by 8