⚡ CFB Dashboard

CHAPEL HILL — Ten months ago, I asked Bill Belichick a simple question before North Carolina's eventual loss to Duke. How do you balance getting running backs into a rhythm versus riding the hot hand? The question stemmed from a 10-game sample size when Bill Belichick played at least four — and sometimes five — running backs every week. It was like a relay race that turned almost robotic, with one person in for a carry or two before passing the baton to the next. I understand the logic. You want to have fresh legs on the field at all times, especially in the fourth quarter and later in the season when attrition hits. Plus, to give the lion's share of snaps to one running back, that player must prove they're deserving. Last season, it felt like that player emerged in Week 3, when freshman Demon June torched Richmond for 148 rushing yards on 14 carries (10.6 yards per rush) and a touchdown. If Belichick wanted to see June produce against a Power Four opponent, he only had to wait a few more weeks. In Syracuse, June burned the Orange defense for 182 total yards and scored twice. He rushed for 101 on 13 carries (7.8 yards per rush) and caught two passes for 82 yards. It looked as if the Tar Heels finally found their alpha running back. But as legendary coach and commentator Lee Corso famously said: not so fast, my friend. Seven days later, coming off the monster game at Syracuse, June carried the ball just three times, the fewest of three running backs who saw the field, and was a complete non-factor. It's hard to question one of the greatest football minds of all time in Belichick. But it's equally as hard to fathom why UNC went away from the hot hand, the rusher who was in the midst of a breakout season. This year hasn't been the exactly same, but it’s eerily familiar: When a North Carolina running back finally separates himself from the pack, the Tar Heels don't necessarily let him stay there. On Saturday at Clemson — and over the first two games — Benjamin Hall has emerged as the most well-rounded back on the roster. After an effective first half against the Tigers where Hall averaged 7.7 yards per carry, UNC didn't lean on its captain again in the second. When safety Greg Smith leaped for an interception early in the third quarter, capitalizing on a late, underthrown pass by Clemson's Tait Reynolds, the Tar Heels inserted June into the game for his sixth carry backed up inside their own 5-yard line. Hall already had 11 carries for 77 yards and was on his way to a career day. Instead, June took the handoff on first down, lost control of the ball and fumbled away the opportunity, giving Clemson a free three points and making it a one-possession game. Sure, June has been UNC's featured goal-line back through three games and it has paid off in the form of four touchdowns. But based on Hall's effectiveness in the game, keeping him on the sideline was a questionable decision, regardless of where they were on the field. Hall wasn't being ignored. He had 11 carries by halftime. The issue was what happened after he had established himself as the game's most effective runner. UNC didn't necessarily need to abandon its rotation altogether. But there was a case for letting Hall dictate the rotation rather than allowing the rotation to dictate Hall's workload. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino said during fall camp the No. 1 most important thing for the running backs is pass protection. "If you don't protect the quarterback, you can't get into the game," he said. Well, Hall is doing that, too. He's the highest-graded pass blocker among UNC's backs, according to PFF. His 81.8 overall grade is also the best of any Tar Heel through three games. He's not simply the back who runs the hardest or falls forward the most. He's checking all of the boxes UNC's coaching staff says it needs from the position. And his teammates clearly see something in him, too. Hall was voted a team captain before Week 0 after developing into more of a vocal leader this offseason. So this isn't an argument for abandoning UNC's running-back rotation. June has earned his goal-line role, and the Tar Heels have other backs who can contribute, likeJaylen McGill.  But Hall has shown he can run the ball, protect the quarterback, catch out of the backfield and lead the team. He has checked essentially every box UNC has asked of its running backs. Ten months later after Belichick didn't know about the running back rotation, I still don't think the question has really been answered. The issue isn't whether UNC should have one running back take every carry. It shouldn't. Football is too physical, and the Tar Heels have multiple backs capable of contributing. But there's a difference between keeping a stable of backs fresh and refusing to let one of them become the engine of the offense when he’s rolling. Against Clemson, Hall looked like that guy, but UNC didn't ride him enough to a win. And given what happened next, it's fair to wonder whether it should have.