Off Tackle Empire, for Big Ten coverage

Everett Withers, Ohio State's new defensive coordinator, had his UNC squad torn apart tonight, 41-24, by Missouri. Wither's defense surrendered 41 points, 513 yards, 27 first downs, and 7.1 yards per play. Reason to be concerned? No doubt. Reason to panic? Not quite.

UNC played horribly, there's no denying that, but it's a hasty judgement to condemn Wither's coaching on a single game, especially within the context surrounding it. The entire UNC coaching staff is moving on, replaced by new head coach Larry Fedora and his staff, and many of the players were playing in their final game as Tarheels before entering the NFL Draft. The players had no loyalty to their current coaches, little reason to care about a meaningless December 26th bowl game, and quite a bit of reason to care more about their health and professional prospects.

Throughout the season, UNC's defense played admirably under Withers, ranking 40th in total defense and 41st in S&P+-- Bill Connelly's statistic that takes opponent ability into account--despite enduring an off-season filled with NCAA turmoil and player defections. The case for Withers remains as strong as it did before tonight's miscues.