North Carolina lost starting quarterback Max Johnson in the season-opener against Minnesota, and the Tar Heels have been trying to find his replacement.
Conner Harrell received the first chance to replace Johnson, starting in Week 2 against Charlotte and Week 3 against NC Central, but third-stringer Jacolby Criswell finished the Tar Heels’ 45-10 win against NC Central last weekend.
Criswell is expected to start this weekend against JMU, according to a report by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.
Pitt doesn’t play UNC for a few weeks, with Youngstown State this weekend and a bye week after that, but the Tar Heels are on the schedule on Oct. 5. It could be a rather important game for the Panthers.
Pitt has never won in Chapel Hill, going 0-7 all-time, but with a chance to go 4-0 in non-conference play (needing a win against YSU to do so), an ACC-opening win against the Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium would go a very long way in setting the tone for the second half of the season.
Criswell started his college career at North Carolina as a four-star recruit in the class of 2020. He appeared in a handful of games during his first three seasons at UNC, sitting behind former starters Sam Howell and Drake Maye.
He transferred to Arkansas last season, appearing in four games off the bench (2-of-6 for nine yards and four carries for 39 yards) and returned to the Tar Heels over the offseason.
Criswell is a true dual-threat quarterback and could pair well with star running back Omarion Hampton, who leads the ACC in rushing through the first three weeks of the season. He’s completed 15-of-24 pass attempts (62.5%) for 163 yards and a touchdown.
Harrell has completed 20-of-35 pass attempts (57.1%) for 275 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
It remains to be seen who the Panthers will face on Oct. 5 at Kenan Memorial, but it very well could be Criswell if he impresses this weekend against JMU and next weekend against Duke. Regardless, Pitt will likely have to prepare for another run-heavy offensive attack.
Pitt is coming off a 41-24 loss to UNC at Acrisure Stadium last season.
This should be a win. We have Louisville, Clemson, Syracuse and Boston College coming. They all have very good, experienced quarterbacks, where as North Carolina does not.
stop hampton and we probably win the game. bye could be helpful to get rested and heal some bumps and bruises. H2P !