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2009 North Carolina College Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on July 22, 2009

unc72209 North Carolina finished the 2008 season 8-5, with four of those defeats coming by three points or less. They were oh so close to a special season, but they have a chance to do something special in 2009. The Heels will be playing for a second straight bowl berth, something they haven’t been able to accomplish since 1998. North Carolina is listed at +3,300 to win the 2009 BCS championship.

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Offense – North Carolina has thrown the ball better than it has run it in recent years behind a stellar wide receiver crop. But those wideouts have now moved on, and that means the Heels will have to run the football more effectively in order to put a successful offense on the field. The Heels appear to have the beef up front to get the job done in the trenches. They bring back four offensive linemen who started at least seven games in 2008. Just making the run more of a priority will help the Heels improve on their poor 3.5 yards per carry average from a year ago. Shaun Draughn is a capable running back who carried 198 times for 866 yards last season. Establishing the running game will also help UNC pass effectively now that the experience level at wide receiver spots has diminished. In fact, only one returning receiver has caught a pass in a college game. Quarterback T.J. Yates is back for a third season under center after throwing for 1,168 yards and 11 touchdown strikes against just four interceptions. He is a trusted leader and a fierce competitor.

Defense – If the Heels hope to bring home the ACC Coastal Division title, it will be up to a defense which returns nine starters. The scoring defense was respectable last season, holding opponents to 21.2 points per game (32nd nationally), but this unit should be even better in 2009. The defensive line is deep with all four starters back and 10 total players who are battle tested. There’s no reason why this group shouldn’t be able to do a much better job of applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks. They greatly underachieved in that area in 2008, coming up with just 22 sacks to rank 11th in the league. The linebacker position is in good hands with Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter, who already have two seasons of starting under their belts. The secondary brings back three starters, including likely all-league picks in cornerback Kendric Burney and free safety Deunta Williams.

Prediction: 2nd ACC Coastal – The Heels are on the rise and they have the potential to best last year’s eight-win season as long as the defense is able to play up to its ability and the offense can establish a running game. The Heels should be bowling in back-to-back season for the first time in over a decade, but a tough schedule which includes road games with Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and NC State figures to keep them from taking home the Coastal Division. North Carolina is listed at +325 to win the ACC Coastal.

Beat the NCAA football odds on a consistent basis in 2009 with the help of Jimmy Boyd’s expert football picks!

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