All Tar Heels

UNC Football: Mack Brown Plans to Show Players a Painful Reminder

As Mack Brown noted on Monday, UNC football shouldn't forget what Georgia Tech did to its hopes last go-round.

Matt Giles

UNC football (Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)
In this story:

Last year, UNC football entered the Georgia Tech game with a 9-1 record and ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 Poll. The unranked Yellow Jackets (then 4-6) stunned the home team in Chapel Hill, setting in motion the Tar Heels' four-game losing streak to finish the season with a tough-to-swallow 9-5 record given the 9-1 start.

This year, as the No. 17 Tar Heels prepare for a trip to Atlanta to face unranked Georgia Tech (3-4, 2-2 ACC) at 8 p.m. ET Saturday, UNC is 6-1 (tied with Louisville for second in the ACC standings at 3-1) but reeling from Saturday night's 31-27 upset home loss to Virginia. Virginia was 1-5 and winless in ACC action entering the game.

Despite the disturbing loss, most of the Tar Heels' goals remain intact, so long as they don't allow one inexplicable defeat to derail everything they've fought for thus far.

So, on Monday morning, while speaking to the media, UNC football head coach Mack Brown explained that he's using film of last year's loss to Georgia Tech, not to mention the Yellow Jackets' upset win over Miami in Atlanta this year, to remind his players of what they must avoid, in a sense.

"They'll see the [tape of] Georgia Tech beating Miami," the 72-year-old, who popped up on national coach of the year watch lists last week, confirmed. "We'll go back and show them that. And they got to understand that they'll see our game with Georgia Tech last year.

"That took a lot away from us. Even though we played some really good teams at the end [losses to NC State at home in the regular-season finale, Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, and Oregon at the Holiday Bowl], that one is talked about the most."

In other words, while Mack Brown emphasized his guys must put the loss to Virginia behind them, the best way to combat reminders of it is to give folks a new winning streak to talk about in place of it.

Tar Heels Tumble in Poll Following Upset Loss

Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC football news.

Published
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

Home/Football