Nov 8, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) breaks a tackle as Stanford Cardinal linebacker Matt Rose (35) defends in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Bill Belichick Reflects on Offense’s Improvement Versus Defense

Originally posted on North Carolina Tar Heels on SI
By Jeremiah Artacho | Last updated Nov 11, 2025 10:00 AM ET

The defense of UNC's football team has been the backbone of what has led to its two-game winning streak, defeating both Syracuse and Stanford. Although in both contests, the offensive unit struggled to find any rhythm as there are still concerns as to when it will reach the same kind of display as the defensive unit.

The Tar Heels against the Cardinal scored three points through the first two quarters, while against the Orange, they scored six points during the same time frame. Nonetheless, North Carolina ended up winning each game — 27-10 (Syracuse) and 20-15 (Stanford). And that would not have been the case if it were not for its defense's performance.

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

“Well and again, it goes in spurts like we had it in the second half, offensively, in the last two games, you know, defensively, we didn't have it too much in the fourth quarter to, you know, they drove the ball down the field, you know, two times," said Belichick after the Stanford contest. "So I would say, it's just an inconsistency that we just don't (have) in every area of the game."

"We're just not as consistent as we need to be. We do enough good things. We've done enough good things to be competitive in the last four games, win two of them, lose two of them with a turnover inside the one-yard line. But we're competitive. We just (need) to play better."

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

"We just need to be more consistent across the board. And that part of that's coaching, part of it's playing, part of it's, you know, individual play. Part of it's, you know, our play as a unit. So everything's important. It all matters and we're just trying to, you know, do everything better."

"I wouldn't say it's just like one thing, it stands out. There was one switch we could flip. I would do that. But I think it's more of a consistency that we need.”

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

UNC's defense continues to show why it has improved since the Clemson matchup — head coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers had an easy time scoring points from the jump.

The Offense has Three More Outings to Prove Itself

Wake Forest (road), Duke (home), and NC State (road) are UNC's final three opponents. Quarterback Gio Lopez, along with the wide receiving core, plus the running back room, have time left to prove it can be a competent part of its game plan. Instead of just relying on the defense to carry.