This is a pick that should come as no surprise if you watched the Tar Heels last year. If it were three years ago, and Butch Davis just inherited the team, and you somehow had access to this website 3 years ago, the pick would come as no surprise either. The Tar Heels have steadily improved in Davis' two years, and theyre looking to make year three the big break out year. Last year really could have been the year, though. Ultimately, their September loss to Virginia Tech is what cost them the divison; they lost 20-17 after leading 17-3 in the 2nd half. They lost a total of 5 games, 4 by a combined 9 points, and then the 5th game to N.C. State was by 31. In those five losses, they scored a COMBINED 3 points in the 4th quarter. Not coincidentally, they led in the 4th quarter in 4/5 losses, with the exception being the N.C. State game. The focus this year has to be on finishing games off.
OFFENSE:
QB T.J Yates missed half of the season due to injury, but was effective when he was in there. In six games, he threw for 1168 yards, 11 TDs, and 4 INTs. What hurts the offense is that they lose nearly all of their star WRs. Hakeem Nicks is now on the Giants, Brandon Tate on the Patriots, and Brooks Foster is on the Rams. Losing 3 WRs to the NFL is never a good thing. Its hard to imagine that any receivers that step in will be able to duplicate the quality that the trio above produced.
But, the running game looks very strong. Shaun Draughn was only a Sophomore last year when he rushed for 866 yards. Factor in that the Tar Heels were throwing the ball mostly, add another year of experience, and a good offensive line (well talk about in a second), and it could point to a big year for Draughn. He could be a nice 1-2 punch with RB Greg Little (who is the teams leading returnee for receiving yards), and on top of that, they have a goal line specialist with 6'2" 245 lb. Ryan Houston. Houston tallied 8 touchdowns on 77 carries last year. The team can produce a strong threat on the ground this year. The offensive line returns 4 starters, and is made up of 3 seniors and 2 juniors - a very experienced line.
DEFENSE:
The strength of the team will no doubt be the defense. While it didnt produce terrific numbers last year, there are loads of talent on this side of the ball. Despite giving up an above-average amount of yardage, the Tar Heels did hold their opponents to a respectable 21 pts/game. They now return 9 starters. The two stars are LB Quan Sturdivant and CB Kendric Burney. Both have the potential to be all-americans. The defensive line was probably the worst part of the defense last year, but they return all four starters and their backups. Its a deep line, and should produce better results this year. Sr. DE E.J. Wilson should lead the way. The Tar Heels forced an impressive 29 turnovers last year. Their most impressive effort of the year came when they limited Georgia Tech to 7 points.
I feel that the talent on defense was there last year, but they didnt play to their 100% potential, especially against N.C. State. If they improve like they should with 9 starters back, they can be special. The offense is a concern. The Tar Heels have not been known as a running team since Davis took over, but it appears that they are going to have to start this year as one. The running game should be okay, but until a receiving threat emerges, opposing defenses will have no problem loading up the line of scrimmage to stop any RB that the Tar Heels throw at them.
An experienced offensive line can only help so much. Without a doubt, the question of where the receiving is going to come from is the concern. If 2-3 players step up and create a balance on offense, the Tar Heels can win the ACC. Expect a bunch of low scoring, run the ball slug fests between the Tar Heels and their opponents. Uh-oh, another ACC schedule to pick:
Final Results:
9/5 : The Citadel --- Win
9/12: @ Connecticut --- Win
9/19: E. Carolina --- Win
9/26: @ Ga. Tech --- Loss
10/3: Virginia --- Win
10/10: Georgia Southern --- Win
10/22: Florida State --- Win
10/29: @ Va. Tech --- Loss
11/7: Duke ---- Win
11/14: Miami ---- Win
11/21: @ Boston College ---- Win
11/28: @ N.C. State ---- Win
10-2 (6-2)
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