2014
North Carolina Tarheels
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Schedule and Odds
North Carolina will have to continue where they left off last season as they’ll face a more difficult Schedule in 2014. The Tar Heels finished at 7-6, and won six of their last seven Games. With a potent offense and a defense figuring things out in the third season of the 4-2-5 set up, UNC should be a threat in the Coastal division, although that could be said about every team but Virginia.
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Marquise Williams took over at quarterback in the final five Games and he gave an edge to the offense that they previously didn’t have, a mobile QB. He finished with 15 passing TDs and 6 INTs, and was also the team’s leading rusher with 536 yards and six touchdowns. Williams isn’t the hands down starter, however, and should get competition from RS freshman Mitch Trubisky. The good news is that whoever does start, they’ll have loads of talent in the receiving Game.
Wide receivers Quinshad Davis (10 TDs) is a beast in the red zone, Ryan Switzer is a playmaker and T.J. Thorpe is finally completely healthy. The biggest loss is No. 10 pick in the NFL Draft, tight end Eric Ebron. Running back T.J Logan led the backs last year as only a freshman, and is poised for a big season in this dynamic offense. The offensive line loses a couple starters, and may have to start Four underclassmen.
North Carolina’s defense made strides last year, but they still have work to do. Stopping weaker opponents later in the season isn’t all that great, especially when you give up 27 points to Duke in the regular season finale.
Six starters return to the group with linebacker being the strength with Travis Hughes and Jeff SChoettmer in the middle. The Tar Heels also return all of their safeties, led by Norkeithus Otis, who was second on the team with 7.5 sacks. They lose a couple playmakers, but this defense should still see improvement from last year.
UNC will need to take care of the weaker teams (although Liberty is the only freebie) early in the year and that means San Diego State in the second Game. They’ll travel to East Carolina in their third Game, a team they allowed 55 points to a season ago. The next two road Games for the Tar Heels will be at Clemson and Notre Dame. It’s possible this team could start off in the 1-5 or 2-4 range, but with only one of those losses in the ACC.
Road Games at Miami and Duke stand out on the Schedule, as North Carolina lost to both of those teams at home last year. If those Games don’t go their way, that’ll likely be three Conference losses at the least.
This offense has potential to keep the Tar Heels around in every Game, but it’s going to fall on the defense to be more consistent and hold down the better teams and keep them within striking distance.
2014 North Carolina Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs Liberty
Sept. 6 vs. San Diego State
Sept. 20 at East Carolina
Sept. 27 at Clemson
Oct. 4 vs. Virginia Tech
Oct. 11 at Notre Dame
Oct. 18 vs. Georgia Tech
Oct. 25 at Virginia
Nov. 1 at Miami (FL)
Nov. 15 vs. Pittsburgh
Nov. 20 at Duke
Nov. 29 vs. NC State