College Football Preview – North Carlina Tar Heels

It didn't take Butch Davis very long to make the Tar Heels a respectable team. They only won one more game than the previous year but the difference was how the team played. In 2007, they lost six games by a touchdown or less. When you add that note to the fact that they are returning 18 starters, this could be a breakout season in Chapel Hill.



Offense

The offense stepped up last year as the Tar Heels found a quarterback in T.J. Yates and a running back in Greg Little, who moved over from wide receiver. Those two players are part of why the Tar Heels are being lauded as a breakout candidate.

Other reason include the fact that three starters return on the offensive line, which provides good continuity. Davis has worked on his team's depth in the offseason, trying to supplement the starters with some help and to have a contingency plan in place should any key starters go down.

The receiving corps is very underrated and might be one of the best in the ACC. Hakeem Nicks is the best receiver the Tar Heels have seen in a long time and Brooks Foster and Brandon Tate round out a complete corps.

Although the Tar Heels return virtually everyone, this unit has to experience a lot growth. The pieces are in place but before everyone assumes the Tar Heels can breakout, they have develop some chemistry and execute on all cylinders.

Yates had offseason shoulder surgery and missed some of spring practice. He has to bounce back well and be the glue on offense for this team to succeed.

Defense

Only three full-time starters are gone from last year's unit but like the offense, the main problem on defense will be experience. Sophomore will likely dominate the starting rotation.

All four starters are back in the secondary, which is a good start. The biggest loss on defense will be first-round pick Kentwan Balmer, who would seemingly leave a big void on the defensive line.

But the Tar Heels have plenty of tackles ready to step in. Marvin Austin is a five-star prospect who should really thrive with more playing time now.

The Tar Heels started 28 freshmen last year and like the offense, the defense will be young again this season. They have to grow together and mesh into what could potentially be a very solid unit.

Outlook

There's virtually no pressure on the Tar Heels this season, which means their steady growth should continue. The Coastal Division in the ACC is weak and if Virginia Tech slips up, the Tar Heels should be next in line to take advantage.

Their schedule isn't simple but its hard to gage how good the Tar Heels are just yet. If they are steady on offense and reliable on defense, they could win the division. More likely, though, is that they will reach six wins and a bowl game.

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