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North Carolina Football Predictions 2009

Written June 25, 2009 by InfoPlays

2009 North Carolina Football Predictions North Carolina is steadily becoming a force in the ACC. They have only six projected returning senior starters, so this could be a bridge between last year’s eight wins and a huge leap forward in 2010, or the future could be now. For that to happen, QB T.J. Yates is going to have to stay healthy, while the offensive line and running game develops. If the offense can build off of their 27.7 points/game last season, the defense is good enough to make this a special season for UNC fans. The Tar Heels are listed at +7500 to win the National Championship this season according to the college football lines.

Offense: The North Carolina Tar Heels lost their top two playmakers from last season in receivers Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate. They also lost another experienced wideout in Brooks Foster, but at least T.J. Yates returns at quarterback. Yates is certainly productive under center, but his health is a major concern. He’s been hurt in both of his first two seasons, and he sprained his thumb in the spring playing Ultimate Frisbee. That cost him some offseason training time, but he should be fine for fall camp. Incoming freshman Bryn Renner could get a shot this fall as well.

Shaun Draughn became the main runner last season. He gained 828 yards and scored three touchdowns, Ryan Houston is a goal-line and short-yardage back, while red shirt freshman Jamal Womble is an excellent prospect for the future. His instincts and cutting ability make him one of UNC’s most explosive players. Greg Little is the only experienced wideout. Dwight Jones and Joshua Adams each provide big, fast and inexperienced targets outside. The offense’s other issue is depth along the offensive line. UNC must replace starters are left guard and left tackle, and there is a general lack of backups. Sophomore guard Mike Dykes was going to be one of the backups, but he decided to give up football because of a nagging knee injury.

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Defense: This has been a very youthful unit the past few seasons, but that’s about to pay off this year. Not only do the Tar Heels return a league-high nine starters, most of their backups are intact as well. The coaching staff can rotate 10 players along the line without much of a drop-off in talent. Junior defensive tackle Marvin Austin might be the biggest name because of his former recruiting buzz. He and Cam Thomas are 300-pounders in the middle of the line. E.J. Wilson and Robert Quinn look to build off of solid 2008 seasons at defensive end.

Coach Butch Davis struggled to find enough bodies at linebacker in his first season in 200, but he now has vets in Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter. They’ll start a red shirt freshman in Zach Brown, who is one of the fasted players on the team. The three starting linebackers have all run 4.55 seconds or faster in the 40-yard dash. Cornerback is a little thin after Kendric Burney, Charles Brown and Jordan Hemby. Star Deunta Williams returns to start at safety, and there are plenty of other capable players lined up to play along side him.

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