INSIDE SLANT

   After coming up with only eight interceptions and recovering only six fumbles for more than half the season, North Carolina has gone on a turnover tear in its four-game winning streak.

   The Tar Heels have intercepted 11 passes and recovered three fumbles in that span, matching their turnover total for their first seven games. They are now tied for ninth in the country in turnovers gained among the 120 FBS members, just ahead of Clemson in ACC play heading into the season finale at North Carolina State.

   Asked for a reason behind the surge, coach Butch Davis basically was at a loss.

   “I wish I knew the answer,” he said. “I know that we practice creating turnovers in practice every single day. We do turnover drills, strip drills, interception drills.”

   What it comes down to in games, he said, is a combination of things, starting with pressure up front. Interestingly, though, the Tar Heels have had only five sacks over the last four games and had none against Boston College. They had 17 sacks through the first seven games.

   Whatever the reason is, Davis just hopes the trend continues.

   “Obviously, you want to stay in that mode where you’re winning the turnover battle because it is so critically important to winning a football game,” he said. “I think confidence and athletic ability give you a chance to do it.”

   Last year the Tar Heels had a plus-six advantage in turnovers for the season with 29 takeaways and 23 interceptions and fumbles.

NOTES, QUOTES

   —TE Zack Pianalto has missed four games, but he still is only three receptions short of the school record for catches by a tight end with 29 for 274 yards. Freddie Jones set the record with 32 in 1996.

   —WR Erik Highsmith needs just six more receptions to match Hakeem Nicks’ freshman record of 39 catches. Highsmith didn’t have a catch in the opener and also was shut out against Georgia Southern, but he has 15 catches over the last five games, including six against Boston College in Carolina’s last outing.

   —LB Bruce Carter told the Raleigh News & Observer he intends to return for his senior season. He has 48 tackles, third on the team, two sacks and an interception return for a touchdown.

   SERIES HISTORY: North Carolina 63-North Carolina State 29, six ties (last meeting, 2008, North Carolina 41-10).

   SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Tar Heels have struggled at times, mostly with their running game. They had only 96 yards rushing against Boston College after compiling 891 their previous five outings. They rank ahead of only run-oriented Georgia Tech in passing in the ACC with 160.8 yards a game, a combination of QB T.J. Yates’ inconsistency and young wide receivers. 

   SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: North Carolina ranks among the best in the country defensively, giving up only 262 yards to rank fifth in total defense. With their strong front four (Robert Quinn and E.J. Wilson at ends and Cam Thomas and Marvin Austin at tackles) they are holding opponents to just 94 yards a game on the ground, 11th stingiest in the country. FS Deunta Williams and CB Kendric Burney have combined for nine interceptions, and the Heels are sixth in the country as a team with 19 picks. 

   QUOTE TO NOTE: “From where we were in weeks two and three offensively, we’ve made some strides in spite of the fact an awful lot of young players because of the injuries we have incurred.”—Coach Butch Davis, on the Tar Heels’ progress on offense.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

   THIS WEEK’S GAME: North Carolina at North Carolina State, Nov. 28—The Tar Heels bring a four-game winning streak into the meeting with the Wolfpack, their longest since the 2001 season. They haven’t won five in a row since 1997, when they were 11-1.

   KEYS TO THE GAME: OTs Kyle Jolly and Mike Ingersoll need to keep N.C. State DE Willie Young from getting to QB T.J. Yates. Keeping Wolfpack QB Russell Wilson from breaking free will be critical for the defensive front.

   PLAYERS TO WATCH:

   DE Robert Quinn—Quinn is second in the conference and tied for sixth in the country with 11 sacks. He has the speed to make plays on the opposite side of the field and is tops in the league (tied for seventh in the country) in tackles for loss with 17.5. Only one player in the country, Josh McNary with 132, has accounted for more negative yards than Quinn’s total of 117.

   WR Greg Little—Little leads the Tar Heels in receptions (49 for 478 yards) and also contributes in the running game, especially with the season-ending injury to TB Shaun Draughn. Little has 130 yards on 26 carries, third most on the team.

   CB Kendric Burney—Burney has five interceptions, two of them returned for touchdowns, with four coming in the last two games. Another one of his interceptions resulted in a touchdown when he handed off to teammate Melvin Williams about halfway through an 89-yard play.

   ROSTER REPORT:

   —WR Joshua Adams (shoulder) is expected to apply for a medical redshirt after sitting out the last eight games. He started the first two games of the season. 

   —TB Ryan Houston (thigh) is expected to be a full-go after missing some time in the win over Boston College. That is critical because TB Shaun Draughn (shoulder blade) is out for the rest of the season.