Tar Heel football tackles primetime spot in N.J.

North Carolina sophomore safety Deunta Williams couldn't contain his excitement.

The mere mention of UNC's primetime battle against Rutgers brought a smile to his face and a twinkle to his eye.

""I'm jacked up — I really can't lie to you" man Williams said. I've had dreams about it you know — visions" if you wanna call 'em.""

Today at 7:30 p.m."" those dreams become reality as the Tar Heels make their national debut with coach Butch Davis.

And it seems clear that this was a game circled on the calendar as soon as the schedule was released.

""I feel like it's a great opportunity for our team — for our program — to go in and make some big plays and open the eyes of a lot of guys"" Williams said.

But adrenaline and talk will get UNC only so far. National games command big-time opponents, and that is exactly what the Tar Heels face in Rutgers.

Despite a disappointing opener this season, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has turned the program into a Big East powerhouse.

Three straight winning seasons, highlighted by an 11-win campaign in 2006, went a long way toward establishing winning mentality in Piscataway, N.J.

You respect the job that Greg has done" because he's done a very good job Davis said Monday.

They struggled in the first couple years as he tried to change the culture the environment … and here now in year eight" you can see the by-product of it.""

The size and strength of Rutgers mark a stark contrast to UNC's first opponent" McNeese State.

Scarlet Knight quarterback Mike Teel isn't going to line up in shotgun and run the spread" and Schiano's defense won't find itself outmanned to the degree the Cowboys did.

""Rutgers is certainly totally different offensively" special teams-wise and defensively Davis said.

Not only do they pose a bigger challenge" but they are dramatically different schematically.

""They are a big pressure defense — they are very fast" they are very athletic and they've got some outstanding defensive linemen that really" truly create havoc.""

That sounds eerily similar to descriptions of Davis' vaunted defensive units as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes when Schiano was his defensive coordinator.

During the two seasons they spent on the same sideline" Davis tutored Schiano on the role of a big-time college coach preparing his protege to take over a school of his own.

Now for the first time" the student gets his crack at the teacher.

""I'm looking forward to the game" Schiano said. Butch is a good friend" and I know he'll have his team ready.""

Preparation is one thing the Tar Heels have stressed all week long. Quarterback T.J. Yates said the offense has practiced polishing hand signals and silent snaps in order to have success moving the ball.

""We've been practicing with crowd noise" he said. It gets real loud almost extremely loud out there" but we want to take it as high as possible because we want to be prepared for everything.""

North Carolina hopes that extra work pays off big dividends. It always hurts to disappoint" but the pain is especially acute when in front of the entire country.

As was the case with Rutgers' win against then-No. 3 Louisville in 2006" a program can put itself on the map with a strong Thursday night performance.

""I think there have been programs in the country that have done a phenomenal job in capitalizing on national television opportunities" Davis said.

Sometimes it's Thursday sometimes Saturday" playing bowl games — anytime you get a chance to expose the rest of the country to what you're trying to do.""



Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.