North Carolina coach Butch Davis has emphasized the importance of the Tar Heels' final two regular-season games by re-opening the competition at quarterback this week between T.J. Yates and Cameron Sexton.

"One of the things we got to do was spend a significant amount of time with the coaching staff [Sunday] night," Davis said. "We went through the Maryland game [on film]. We went through a lot of stuff. We started talking about the quarterback situation, our whole offensive approach this week against N.C. State, and how critical and important these next two games are. We met again [Monday] morning and just talked about our offense and how we are going to be the most effective."

Yates broke his ankle against Virginia Tech on Sept. 20. Cameron Sexton came off the bench in the following game against Miami and led the Tar Heels to a victory. Carolina is 5-2 under Sexton and 7-2 overall, 3-3 in the ACC.

Yates has been practicing on a limited basis for two weeks, but Davis said that Yates is well physically and can play the position from that perspective. Now he must show he can make the throws and do all the things he did before getting injured.

Yates had been the starter from his first game a year ago, and the Tar Heels were leading Virginia Tech 17-3 when he got hurt. Now the Tar Heels are coming off a 17-15 loss at Maryland, a game in which Sexton conceded he did not play well.

"I was just like always," Sexton said. "I don't have answers for you because I don't have answers for myself. I played poorly today. I didn't play well. We win and lose as a team. It's a team effort, but as the quarterback for this football team I have a little greater responsibility.

"I left so much on the field. I played a poor game. I never got in a rhythm. I was off. I don't know how to explain it. It wasn't my day today, and I have to play better than that for us to win."

Sexton has played well throughout this stretch and in many ways is the MVP of this season so far. Had he not done the job, UNC would not have a chance to win nine regular-season games and maybe even 10 with a bowl victory.

He will get his chance to keep the job, but Yates will get an equal chance to show he's ready, Davis said.

"T.J. missed six weeks because of a broken ankle," Davis said. "When you miss, not playing, not practicing, not doing anything, there is a certain element of rust. There is a certain element of precaution of getting them back in the game. When is he ready to take full work?"

Yates practiced Sunday night, Davis noted.

"We got a chance to see him and see what are our options are as we move forward. The approach is we are not going to name a starter," Davis said. Davis planned to meet personally with both quarterbacks and have both meet with offensive coordinator John Shoop.

"We'll tell them, 'Both of you need to be prepared, and we'll try to make a decision later in the week.' The most important thing at all positions: who gives us the best chance to win? The quarterback position falls into that same category," Davis said.

Regardless of the starter, Davis believes this team will bounce back and be ready to compete.

"As you're building this program, there are a lot of steps," Davis said after the Maryland game, "and not all of them are vertical. Not all of them go up. We'll learn something from this ball game. We have a bunch of kids in that locker room that are hurting right now. But there is a lot to play for.

"I think they will bounce back and we will be ready to play."

Eddy Landreth can be reached at chnsports @nando.com.