Heel Tough Blog: What To Do at QB?

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After an off-season filled with hype, anticipation, and maybe some doubt, the Bill Belichick debut came and went without much substance, as Carolina was routed by TCU 48-14, in a game that maybe wasn’t even as close as the final score may have indicated. After scoring on the first drive of the game, TCU scored the next 41 points, as they made sure not to let what happened against Colorado three years ago happen again. To make matters worse, UNC came out of the game with something they’d hoped to avoid: a potential QB battle on their hands, after Gio Lopez struggled in his start at the Power Conference level, before leaving injured, only to see the offense respond to Max Johnson, who led a touchdown drive, even with the result already decided. 

There was always going to be an adjustment period for Gio Lopez, after transferring in over the summer from South Alabama, but the growing pains could be bigger than previously imagined. On Monday night, he went just 4-10, for 69 yards, with two turnovers that led to defensive touchdowns going the other way, including a pick-6, which all but ended the game, even with the score only being 20-7 at that time. Lopez did lead Carolina to a touchdown drive on the first possession of the game, but after TCU saw how the game plan was, he became ineffective under center. After taking just 6 snaps under center at South Alabama, he was consistently under center, making you wonder if he’s a fit for the offense that Freddie Kitchens wants to run. Factor in that he left the game early with a sprained back, and it was a debut to forget about for him for sure. 

After almost losing his leg in an injury in the win at Minnesota last year, Max Johnson entered the game for the injured Lopez, and may have, in the process, forced the staff to revisit who their starting QB should be. Even with the game already decided, Johnson went 9-11 for 103 yards with a touchdown pass to his brother, and a rating of 190.5. After Lopez went over two hours without completing a pass, Johnson was able to move the ball through the air with his quick decision-making and accuracy when pushing the ball down the field. After not seeing that level of play last year due to injury, Johnson looked like the QB that Mack Brown recruited out of the transfer portal last season, after time spent at both LSU and Texas A&M. 

Ever since Bill Belichick and Michael Lombardi arrived in Chapel Hill, they’ve championed themselves as the 33rd team, operating like an NFL team, at the college level. With Belichick, you know he’ll always value the team over any individual, which is why the starting QB position may be up for grabs this Saturday at Charlotte.

Assuming Lopez is healthy enough to play, be prepared to see two QBs on the field on Saturday night. Per TarHee247, QB Coach Matt Lombardi saw Gio Lopez earlier today, but wouldn’t offer an update on his health status. Nonetheless, if Lopez can play, you have to let Max Johnson take the job away from him in a competitive environment, meaning they should rotate both QBs on Saturday night. Belichick said that the offense would differ week to week depending on the opponent, and given Charlotte’s inability to stop App State’s passing game, this week’s game plan should consist of many passes, which favors Max Johnson. 

After relieving Lopez late on Monday night, there was a different energy in Carolina’s offense, a different confidence that Lopez couldn’t instill in his teammates. That, in large part, has to do with the journey back to the field Johnson went through after the injury a year ago, making it almost impossible not to play hard for him. It felt like the entire playbook was open for business with Johnson in at QB, whereas with Lopez, it was very conservative, with a heavy dose of runs that everyone in the stadium knew where they were going. The operation was smoother as well, with the play calls getting in quicker, allowing Carolina to play with more pace on offense, something that has to be on display against the 49ers. 

Given that Carolina paid Lopez, and he won the job outright, he deserves to at least have the chance to defend his right as the starting QB of the Tar Heels, meaning that they have to be comfortable playing two QBs, and letting this organically take care of itself. If Freddie Kitchens opens the playbook, there’s a chance that the Gio Lopez they saw on tape at South Alabama, will re-emerge as the rightful starter for Carolina, if not, they have a backup, with SEC starting experience waiting in the wings, and everyone would be willing to play for him, after the way he worked his way back from injury. Only time will tell what happens at QB for the Tar Heels, beginning this weekend against Charlotte.