North Carolina Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
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2010 Record: 8-5 ACC Record: 4-4 (T-3rd, Coastal) 2011 Returning Starters: 14; 6 offense, 6 defense, kicker, punter
Coach: Everett Withers, First Season
Offensive Coordinators: John Shoop Defensive Coordinators: Everett Withers
2011 North Carolina Players to Watch: QB Bryn Renner, RB Ryan Houston, OT James Hurst, WR Dwight Jones, DE Quinton Caples, DE Dante Paige-Moss, DT Tydreke Powell
2011 North Carolina Strengths:
The line of scrimmage on both sides is the foundation of this team. The defensive line is especially strong, both in talent and depth. Caples is a potential first-team All-American. The offensive line is bigger, stronger and more athletic than at any time in Davis’ tenure at Carolina.
2011 North Carolina Weaknesses:
Depth at running back is an issue that must be addressed. Backup quarterback must be decided in summer camp. Renner has the talent but lacks experience. He cannot afford to throw too many interceptions in his eagerness to prove himself. The secondary is unproven.
2011 North Carolina Offense:
The success of North Carolina’s offense will depend largely on its new quarterback. The Tar Heels finished last season in the middle of the pack offensively in the ACC, relying heavily upon the arm and mind of T.J. Yates, a four-year starter who set 37 school records before graduating. Sophomore Bryn Renner is bigger and faster than Yates and has a stronger arm, but he has thrown only two passes in his college career. The team can’t afford Renner to make major mistakes as he gains experience, and Renner knows it. His primary goal during the spring was to minimize turnovers. Fortunately for Renner, he has some talent around him. Dwight Jones is one of the ACC’s top wide receivers, averaging 105.3 yards in the last eight games in 2010. Jheranie Boyd excels at getting open deep down the field, while Erik Highsmith is adept on intermediate routes. Plus, Renner’s blind side will be well-protected by standout left tackle James Hurst. At issue is how well the Tar Heels will be able to run the ball, particularly behind a pair of first-year starters on the right side of the line. Ryan Houston, who returns at tailback after sitting out last season, has a knack for getting tough yards in between the tackles. Houston sat out the spring following shoulder surgery but should be ready to go in the fall.
2011 North Carolina Defense:
The Tar Heels should be in good shape defensively up front. The line is strong with ends Quinton Coples and Donte Paige-Moss rushing the passer and Tydreke Powell and junior college transfer Sylvester Williams clogging the middle. Kevin Reddick enters his third season as the starting middle linebacker. He has a potential star next to him in speed demon Zach Brown, who has waited his turn behind departed studs Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant. The secondary is a much bigger area for concern. The Tar Heels welcome back cornerback Charles Brown, a former starter who sat out last season, but the rest of their defensive backs have only 21 starts combined. Youngsters Jabari Price, Mywan Jackson and Tre Boston each got opportunities at cornerback last season, probably before they were ready. Boston has since moved to safety. The Tar Heels need a couple of the unproven players to show improvement in 2011.
2011 North Carolina Special Teams:
Punter C.J. Feagles has the bloodlines. His father played in the NFL for years as a punter. But Feagles has to become more consistent. Placekicker Casey Barth kicked the winning field goal in the Music City Bowl in double-overtime and was reliable throughout the season, making 19 of 22 field goal attempts.
| 2011 North Carolina Football Schedule | North Carolina Football Sportsbooks |
2011 North Carolina Predictions:
North Carolina’s hopes of winning the ACC crown took a hit with the dismissal of head coach Butch Davis in late July. The timing of Davis’ firing did not make a lot of sense and defensive coordinator Everett Withers will step in as the interim coach. The Tar Heels players still believe they have a realistic chance at the Coastal Division title and the ACC championship. None of that is outside the realm of possibility, but plenty of things have to go right to make it a reality: Renner has to excel from the beginning, Withers has to be a solid coach, the Tar Heels have to come up with answers in the secondary, and the team must stay healthy. The heartbreaking truth for North Carolina fans is that their legitimate chance for a championship was last season, which got short-circuited by off-the-field trouble. This year’s team looks like a solid bet for a fourth consecutive winning season, but inexperience at key positions and a late coaching change could keep the Tar Heels out of ACC title contention.
2011 North Carolina Betting Odds:
North Carolina Current odds to win a National Championship: +10000
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