Unknown vs. Unknown: UNC Offense vs. Cal Defense

Cal Athletics

Going into Saturday's matchup, there are unknowns for both the North Carolina offense and the Cal defense. In Chapel Hill, they're returning only 12.7% of their offensive production from a year ago (lowest among power 5 teams), and they have new quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and linemen to work with. They've recruited well, with guys like Florida offensive player of the year RB Michael Carter.

For the Bears, the players are there from a year ago. Seven of the projected starters have started at least three games, while two of the other four have played in a backup role. The system that they're playing in is completely different, as Tim DeRuyter has installed an attacking 3-4 defense that can shift pieces around to move to a 4-2-5 nickel. Either way there's an unknown.

One of the bigger unknowns is the QB spot, where Brandon Harris, Chazz Surratt, and Nathan Elliott are listed with an OR at the spot. Harris and Surratt are looking to be the more likely QBs for the Tar Heels, but DeRuyter noted that they're all guys that can step in for Mitch Trubisky.

"I think all of them are athletic enough to run the quarterback run game," DeRuyter noted, "the draws. I think they’ve all got live arms that can make the throws that they do in the RPO game, they got quick releases. They run the NCAA offense where you’ve got to be ready for everything."

Larry Fedora's playing his cards close to the vest at the QB spot, but both Harris and Surratt are good runners, better than Trubisky was at the spot, as the Tar Heels look to move toward a QB more similar in skillset to Trubisky's predecessor Marquise Williams with the run game. The Cal defense is expecting some of that run game, owing to what they've been in the past.

"Coach said it perfectly," outside linebacker Cameron Saffle said, "coach Tui(oti) said 'don't be confused, we didn't do a very good job with the run defense the past couple of years, so don't be surprised if they're going to run the ball, even though their tendencies show 80%, 70% pass. Don't be surprised that they're going to run the ball a lot more.' We switched up our defense, so we're confident with stopping the run this year, and same with the pass."

UNC has shown more power looks, something outside linebacker Cam Goode noted, so they'll test the new look defensive line that Jerry Azzinaro has worked with, along with the inside linebacker group in finding the holes.

Offensive Line Depth

North Carolina has seen some attrition at the offensive line spots, with left tackle standout Bentley Spain not likely to play due to an injury suffered in camp, leaving the Tar Heels with one returning starter in RJ Prince and a graduate transfer in Cam Dillard at center.

For a Cal team that'll need to get some confidence early, attacking a line that doesn't have as much experience together should help. Jerry Azzinaro and DeRuyter have a few stunts they've utilized during practices, and they'll open up some blitzes on 3rd and long to test the line.

Passing Game

The expectation with a couple of new QBs, though Harris played plenty at LSU, is there'll be more in the RPO variety, quick slants, outs, getting the QB in rhythm with easier reads.

Cal has been utilizing more man press looks to go with the blitzes, as Elijah Hicks and Marloshawn Franklin have excelled tight in those areas.

The quick passes are something that goes hand in hand with their tempo.

Tempo

Fedora's teams like to go tempo, it showed up as an 11 minute time of possession disparity in the stats, and they like to do especially in the red zone, but the Bears have practiced against a quick offense of their own.

"One of the great advantages we have here is that our offense uses tempo every single day," DeRuyter said,"we start most practices with ‘fastball,’ where we’re trying to get 14 plays in 5 minutes, and when you get used to playing at that tempo, you’re getting lined up, you make the call and make the communication pre snap and you go."

Names to Watch:

Austin Proehl - son of former Ram Ricky Proehl, leading returning receiver

Carter - Offensive player of the year for the state of Florida, talented true freshman

Thomas Jackson - the other returning wideout, very solid at getting open in space and getting 1st downs.

Prince - Just got off a suspension, has 12 career starts at RG

Charlie Heck - LT starter if Spain can't go, brother was a 4-year starter at RT, former HS TE.

As Wilcox said repeatedly during his presser Wednesday, North Carolina is a team that's recruited well, and Fedora has been consistently good on offense. This is Wilcox's first opportunity to show the growth of the defense, and it's against a very talented opponent.