The win against Virginia last week almost made me forget about the misery that we just came from before the bye week, losing four straight games as a North Carolina fan. They just handed games away, giving up leads and points to anyone who wanted them.

However, my faith has been restored in not only the entire UNC football team but specifically the defense. Heading into this week against Florida State, the defense will be a huge part if they hope to start another winning streak. The Seminoles will be without DJ Uiagalelei, their starting quarterback, but that can't make the defense put its guard down.

Here are five things the defense needs to do this week.

Put pressure behind the line

UNC football did a fantastic job against Virginia at getting behind the line of scrimmage. Out of 25 total sacks on the season, the Tar Heels defense accumulated 10 of them in just the last game. They also had 12.5 tackles for a loss. To say they dominated the trenches and the line of scrimmage would be an understatement. That needs done again.

Create turnovers

In games that North Carolina has won or at least had a chance to win this season, the defense created turnovers. In the last game, the Tar Heels defense not only created two turnovers with two interceptions, but Jahvaree Ritzie returned his interception 84 yards for a touchdown. I'm not saying that the UNC defense needs to score, but they need at least one interception, fumble recovery, or fourth down stop.

Limit first downs

Before the Virginia game, I mentioned that North Carolina had a terrible third-down conversion of their own. However, the defense has been allowing its fair share of third-down conversions to the opposition. Getting off the field is going to be key in this game and limiting Florida State to three plays each drive will keep them contained.

Complete the game

All of the aforementioned items are things that the Tar Heels defense has done in almost every game this season. However, this is the key that brings all the other keys together. Play a full game. As seen when the defense lost a 20-point lead against Duke. You can't just excel in one half or one quarter and expect to succeed.

Replicate last game

It was about as perfect of a game as you could get against Virginia last week. They held Virginia to 288 yards total, including just seven rushing yards. You read that correctly ... seven. They allowed them to complete just six third downs and just one fourth down. However, they kept the pressure on until the end, with Rucker picking up his third sack on the day with just a minute left in the game.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : UNC football defensive keys at Florida State