Maryland men's basketball plagued by turnovers in loss to North Carolina

The preseason Atlantic Coast Conference co-player of the year, Paige assisted for the game's first basket then buried a 3-pointer on the next possession - proof that he was ready to roll in an early season matchup between two of the nation's best teams.

Ohio State and Stanford have been in or near the top 10 since the CFP Selection Committee started its rankings, but North Carolina - at 11-1 with an ACC Coastal Division title - has only recently joined the conversation.

No Power Five team has averaged more yards per play in conference than North Carolina's 7.54. The Heisman chatter around Watson's season is completely valid, as he has the third highest completion percentage in the country at 70.4. However, UNC's rushing defense has struggled this year (ranked 101st nationally). "The game was their run, our run, their run, our run". After about 15 yards, he cut back to the right side of the field, avoiding defenders for a 40-yard score that went untouched. Carolina is allowing 394.9 yards per game compared to 497.8 last season. They see a lot of what they see in practice every day, when they compete against their own quarterback, Marquise Williams. "The media and everybody just questioned them all throughout the year". This Saturday, he will have the chance to make up for for his past blunder. "I feel a lot better when number five is out there".

Looking back: Clemson won it all in 1981, defeating Nebraska in the Orange Bowl that season for the program's signature moment.

"But they're overall strength of schedule is important, and they do have that loss to a team that is at the bottom of the SEC".

Hood provides North Carolina a potential knockout punch in an area where Clemson has been periodically vulnerable.

Watson has thrown for 3,223 yards and 27 touchdowns on the season. I still hold the belief that if this team can stay more disciplined on defense and cut down on the turnovers, they will be a problem for everyone. "They don't need to see a year ago to respect Carolina". Possessing a roster loaded with both talent and experience, the Tar Heels were inevitably going to be a popular pick to win the national title, and a Final Four run was more of an expectation than an aspiration.

Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora said his players have steadily built up confidence with each victory, something he expects to peak against the Tigers even with the odds stacked heavily against them.

6 Louisville (7-5, 5-3 ACC): The Cardinals were on the verge of ending the regular season on a real downer, trailing 24-3 to Kentucky at the half. Not only does Watson boast the ability to kill defenses with his arm, his mobility and flawless execution of the Tigers' zone-read option is something to be scared of. Six different Clemson players have recorded at least 300 yards receiving, led by WR Artavis Scott (77 catches, 709 yards, four TDs).3. In games Clemson hasn't played a quarterback like Williams. Clemson boasts the No. 6 defense in the nation, led by star defensive end Shaq Lawson. All year, Williams has been doing just that. This season, Williams has completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,605 yards, 18 TDs, and only eight interceptions, and has also rushed 124 times for 786 yards and 10 TDs. He'll have to give his all for UNC to contend with the Tigers. I think he does a great job with his club. The Tigers are too well-rounded of a football team. North Carolina shot themselves in the foot over and over again and wound up blowing the game.

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