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Stock Watch: North Carolina Game Trends

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Game two of the ACC slate sees Virginia Tech travel to North Carolina. The Hokies have played well in the state for many years, but tomorrow figures to be one of the biggest tests in a while. Inconsistency has defined Virginia Tech this season and tomorrow could be the day to get the train back on the right track. Heading into the contest, let's see whose stock is rising and whose is falling.
STOCK UP
RB Michael Holmes, Virginia Tech
He came to life in the second half Saturday against Cincinnati and found the end zone, while appearing to be the top threat on the ground for the Hokies. It's all just a matter of situational play, knowing what to call and how to execute it, how you match up with the other team.
Holmes, a redshirt freshman, was very solid with 60 yards and a touchdown against the Bearcats and appears to be setting himself apart a little bit from the other backs. Expect to see him plenty on Saturday.
WR Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech
The athletic receiver symbolizes the word 'inconsistent.' He had 82 yards off six catches in week one, then recorded two for 34 in week two. The following week, he had four for 129 at Pitt, then two for 29 against Bowling Green.
In the lost to Cincinnati, Davis had five catches for 101 yards. He is up and down, but after putting up a quality performance at FedEx, it's time for him to put two solid games in a row together. Will this be the week or will he be below some this time next week?
WR Quinshad Davis, North Carolina
The former four-star wideout, who is a freshman, had his best game in college with four catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the blowout win over Idaho. A big target at 6'4", Davis is good one on one and can burn you down the field.
He is now one of six players on the team to have at least two receiving touchdowns. With the woes in the Tech secondary, he could have another big day.
STOCK DOWN
QB Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech
The junior out of Lynchburg is becoming a regular on this list. While his NFL Draft stock is slipping, so is his performance. According to Thomas and the Virginia Tech coaches, he is fine, feels good, there just isn't execution. I mean, people are already pleading for Mark Leal.
Now, that is a bit premature, but one has to wonder what is going on. He is throwing off his back foot a lot and his confidence just looks shot. Could we really see a Tech team at 3-3? If he doesn't step up and put throws on the money, there is a good chance.
Offensive play-caller and QB coach, Mike O'Cain
Throwing on first down, screens on third, I don't get it. I'm no football mastermind, but I'm all for the conventional run on first down up the gut and going from there. Getting nothing on first down with overthrows by Thomas isn't going to get this offense rolling.
In the four games Thomas has played each offensive snap, he is throwing it over 30 times per game. That, in my mind, is way too much. The team has to have faith in the run game, maybe give Martin Scales more opportunities and pound the rock. It would be good to see Thomas run the ball a bit more, but the play calling has to be more creative. It's been plain and needs to get going sooner.
North Carolina's hands
After a 66-0 win, it's quite difficult to find negatives. The Heels turned the ball over twice last week after not turning it over at all until then, but North Carolina made easy work of the Vandals.
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