North Carolina Tarheels
2010 Record: 8-5
2010 Bowl Game: Beat Tennessee in music City Bowl 30-27 (2OT)
2010 Against the Spread: 7-6
2010 over/under: 5-8
Returning Starters: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense)

Throughout August we are releasing pre-season previews for all the major college teams.  our College Football Handicappers are doing plenty of research to make sure we release  winners every week during the upcoming season.

Last Season, North Carolina had the talent to win the ACC. They were even ranked in the top ten in the pre-season poll. However, suspensions marred what was supposed to be a terrific season for the Tarheels. UNC finished a disappointing 8-5 last year.

Coach Butch Davis was hired to bring the football team to the same level as the school’s vaunted basketball program. However those dreams came to a screeching halt last week when North Carolina fired Davis for the violations that led to the suspensions.  It was said to be a preemptive strike before the NCAA came down hard on the program for the violations.

Everett Withers was named as the school’s interim head coach after serving as the defensive coordinator for the last 3 seasons. It is not known how such a huge adjustment so close to the season starting will affect the Tarheels.

Here is a look as UNC’s offense, defense, special teams and schedule.

Offense

Last season the Tarheels’ offense was average at best, but many of the skill position players missed games due to suspensions. UNC averaged 395 yards a game last season, including 264 yards passing a game. The running game was one of the worst in the country averaging only 131 yards a game. The Tarheels scored 25.3 points a game.

Sophomore Bryn Renner takes over as the quarterback for T.J. Yates. Renner was a blue-chip recruit out of high school, and many expected him to be the starter last year. Yates completed 66.8% of his passes last year for 3,418 yards with 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Renner only attempted 2 passes last year behind Yates. Renner is talented but it will take him some time to adjust to the system, though this is his third year in the program as he redshirted one year. Back-up A.J. Blue might see some action as well as a sophomore. Blue is a better runner and could be an asset as the Tarheels need to establish a running game.

Carolina hasn’t had a 1,000 yard rusher since 1994. The running game will lean on Ryan Houston, a 6’2″ 245 load to bring down. Houston missed the entire 2010 season due to an NCAA investigation but regained his eligibility for this season. He could have played last year after being cleared in October but chose to redshirt so he have a full season in 2011. The Senior rushed 191 times for 713 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2009. Carolina must replace their top two rushers from last season Johnny White (now with the Bills) and Shaun Draughn. Hunter Furr played mostly on special teams last year but the junior will be the back-up. Redshirt freshman Giovani Bernard tore his ACL last August and didn’t play a down. He is the future at the position and will get some carries this year as he recovers. Senior fullback Devon Ramsey is a better lead blocker but will get a few carries as well.

North Carolina’s receiving corps might be among the best in the ACC. Senior Dwight Jones is the biggest star among the wideouts and will be playing on Sundays next year barring injury. He had 62 catches for 946 yards and 4 touchdowns last season. Junior Jheranie Boyd had a huge game against LSU with 6 catches for 221 yards and a 97 yard touchdown catch last year in the season opener. However he only caught 8 more balls for two more scores the rest of the season. If he can be more consistent he will be a dangerous weapon. Junior Erik Highsmith had 25 catches for 348 yards and 3 touchdowns. Senior Christian Wilson, freshman Sean Fitzpatrick, and junior tight end Nelson Hurst (who transferred from Mississippi St) will also be effective targets for Renner.

The offensive line loses two starters but still has All-ACC second team LG Jonathan Cooper does return. Junior Brennen Williams steps in at left tackle but played 10 games last year as a back-up.

Defense

Carolina’s defense was racked by suspensions as well, but the silver lining is young players got experience for this year that they wouldn’t have gotten had the stars not been suspended. Despite the suspensions, UNC still had a top 30 ranked defense, especially against the run. The Tarheels gave up only 339.3 yards a game, including 126.4 rushing yards a game. UNC only gave up 23.2 points a game last year.

The offense will be led by All-American DE Quinton Coples, DE Donte Paige-Moss, LB Kevin Reddick, and defensive backs Tre Boston and Jabari Price. The defense will still be strong and could be even better than last year.

Special Teams

Senior kicker Casey Barth returns as one of the nation’s best kickers. He made all 38 extra points last year along with 19 out of 22 field goals. Strangely, he has never made a 50 yard or longer field goal in his career. Barth also handled kickoffs and had 3 touchbacks in 66 kickoffs.

Punter C.J. Feagles, son of long time NFL punter Jeff, returns for his sophomore year. He took over the punting duties after three weeks last year when he replaced Grant Shallock. Feagles had 46 punts last year with a 37.5 yard average with 2 touchbacks and 10 inside the 20.

The Tarheels must break in a new punt returner and kick returner with the graduation of Da’Norris Searcy. It isn’t clear who will do this job for the Heels but WR oyd returned several kicks last season for UNC.

Schedule

North Carolina has home games against James Madison, Rutgers, Virginia, Louisville, Miami-(FL), Wake Forest, and Duke. Miami and perhaps Rutgers will be tough games but the rest should be relatively easy. UNC has road games against Georgia Tech, East Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina St, and Virginia Tech. All are tough but winnable games for North Carolina. I can see this team with 8 wins with a not too demanding schedule.

Betting Trends

North Carolina was 7-6 against the spread last year including 3-4 at home and 4-2 on the road. The over/under was 5-8 last season including 2-5 at home and 3-3 on the road.

Game to play North Carolina

Thanksgiving weekend North Carolina plays arch-rival Duke. The Blue Devils are rebuilding after going 3-9 last year. I like UNC to cover in that game. They might need that game to be bowl eligible or even to compete for the ACC Coastal Division Title if the can beat Miami or Virginia Tech.

Game to Play against North Carolina

Take your pick. Last season North Carolina was crushed by a combined 59-20 in their two games against Miami and Virginia Tech. This year, they travel to Blacksburg, but get Miami at home. I think Virginia Tech is too strong at home and will eb able to beat Carolina there November 17.

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