Orange Bowl: How theymatch up
NO. 5 TEXAS A&M (8-1)
VS. NO. 13 NORTH CAROLINA (8-3)
When: 7 p.m. today. TV/radio: ESPN; 97.5 FM, 92.5 FM.
WHEN TEXAS A&M HAS THE BALL
We’d claim senior quarterback Kellen Mond will look to close out his college career with a bang and big numbers, but Mond doesn’t get too worked up aboutmuch of anything — one more thing coach Jimbo Fisher loves about his even-keeled team leader.
Instead expect more of the same from themethodical A&M offense: An exercise in ball control, heavy on the run game behind sophomore Isaiah Spiller, who needs 14 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his career (946 in 2019).
The Aggies havewon seven consecutive games, including the last six by double-digits, by leaning on a veteran offensive line that’s been one of the nation’s best this season. Tight end JalenWydermyer paces the offense in both yards (502) and catches (45), and for a second straight year, Ainias Smith is the Aggies’ Mr. Everything on offense. The Tar Heels’ top defender, linebacker Chazz Surratt, chose not to play in the Orange Bowl, meaning backup Eugene Asante will be counted on to slow the Aggies’ roll. North Carolina ranks 55th nationally in total defense — and that was with Surratt’s team-high 91 tackles.
WHEN NORTH CAROLINA HAS THE BALL
The Tar Heels’ loss of Surratt on defense is nothing compared to what’s happened to North Carolina on offense. Three of the ACC’s top playmakers, running backs Michael Carter and JavonteWilliams and wide receiver Dyami Brown, have chosen not to play in the Orange Bowl. Quarterback Sam Howell can throw the ball all over the field — but who exactly he’ll be throwing to is the question. Dazz Newsome is theNo. 2 receiver, with nearly 500 fewer receiving yards than Brown, and he’s now Howell’s top target.
North Carolina, much like A&M, will continue to rely on the ground game even without Carter andWilliams, but no other true running back hasmore than 65 yards this season behind the two 1,000-yard rushers.
A&M is among the top teams in the nation against the run, and defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal, the Aggies’ top defender down the stretch, understandably ismiffed he was overlooked for All-SEC honors. A&M senior cornerback Myles Jonesmissed the regular-season finale at Tennessee with a foot injury, and his status is up in the air for the Orange Bowl.
PREDICTION
A slew of North Carolina’s top players chose not to play in the Orange Bowl, while all the Aggies’ best chose to compete in onemore game this season. The difference is a double-digit victory for the Aggies.
Texas A&M 34, North Carolina 18.