subject: 2010 North Carolina College Football Predictions [print this page] The defense receives the headlines for North Carolina and rightfully so. Putting points on the board consistently has been an issue for the Tar Heels in the past. One of the major reasons for this is the 15 interceptions that QB TJ Yates threw last season. The coaching staff will not hesitate to give red shirt Freshman Bryn Renner his chance leading up to the opener, but it is hard for me to see anyone other than Yates getting the nod. RB Shaun Draughn will return to the backfield after missing the final four games of the 2009 campaign due to a leg injury. The Senior back forms a nice tandem with bruising runner Ryan Houston as the two combined for over 1300 yards and 10 touchdowns. Carolina has some nice talent at the receiver position that starts with Greg Little. The former running back has transitioned nicely to receiver and led the team with 62 catches and five touchdowns making him the biggest offensive threat Carolina has.
Many fans were optimistic that a few of the All Conference performers on last year's team would return for their final season. They got much more than expected when six potential first round draft picks decided to give it one more go around as a Tar Heel . This is a dominant unit that gave up just 17 ppg and held opponents to 270 total yards per contest. DT Marvin Austin is a two gap tackle that teams with DE Robert Quinn to form one of the best front fours in the country. Quinn tallied 11 sacks last season and was a first team all conference player. There might not be two better linebackers in college football than Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter. Both possess outstanding speed that assisted in totaling 144 tackles with 16.5 for loss. Don't think about throwing against this defense either. CB Kendric Burney always seems to be around the ball and has great instincts that will translate well to the next level. He has the luxury of taking chances with FS Deunta Williams behind him. Williams led the team with six interceptions a year ago and broke up eight pass attempts.
The Heels will play the 24th toughest schedule and it begins right away with match-ups against LSU and Georgia Tech within the first three weeks. They have to travel twice to Florida to take on the Seminoles and Hurricanes which will be no easy task. A home game vs. Virginia Tech on 11/13 could have conference title implications. I see UNC going 8-4 and reaching a New Year's Day bowl.
