College Football Betting Online: For the first time in over a decade, North Carolina finally exceeded expectations and looked like the sleeping giant it had constantly been billed to be. It was the first time in almost two decades that the Tar Heels had won at least 10 games and if it wasn’t for an excruciating loss against South Carolina in the season opener, UNC would have went to a New Year’s Six bowl. Now the hope in Chapel Hill is that Larry Fedora can seize this momentum and start building something special.
North Carolina Tar Heels Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Tar Heels Over 8.5 -130
Tar Heels Under 8.5 +100
2015 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS SEASON REVIEW
The Tar Heels put together one of their best seasons ever in 2015. North Carolina won 10 straight games at one point and although the beginning and the end were bittersweet it was a fantastic year.
Marquise Williams lived up to the talent he had flashed in 2014 and was one of the top quarterbacks in the conference in 2015. Williams accounted for over 4000 yards and 37 touchdowns between his arm and his legs and was the main reason why the Tar Heels averaged more than 40 PPG.
Williams had help from RB Elijah Hood, who had a great season despite being overshadowed in his own conference by Dalvin Cook and Wayne Gallman. Hood carried the ball for 1463 yards and 17 touchdowns and was able to move the chains on short yardage when the situation called for it.
The vast improvement of the defense can’t be overlooked in discussing how North Carolina won five more games than last season. Gene Chizik came in and worked magic on a defense that allowed 39 PPG in 2014 and had the Tar Heels allowing just 24.5 PPG at the end of the season.
WHAT CHANGED
Marquise Williams graduated in the offseason and now it is Mitch Trubisky’s team. Trubisky shared the starting role with Williams in 2014 and saw action in most games last season as well, so he has some familiarity with Larry Fedora’s offense. He isn’t the threat Williams is when running the ball, but isn’t a statue in the pocket either.
The defense suffered a blow with the loss of two of its top three tacklers to graduation. Shakeel Rashad and Jeff Schoettmer combined for 213 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss and while they lacked some ideal traits, they were solid tacklers with good fundamentals.
2016 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS SEASON PREVIEW
The Tar Heels lose some familiar faces, but there is still plenty of talent on this team. Trubisky may have some bumps as the full-time starter, but there is a lot he can count on. Mack Hollins and Ryan Switzer are two of the better receivers in the ACC and both can make things happen any time they touch the ball.
If Elijah Hood can learn to catch the ball out of the backfield that would help Trubisky and UNC out a lot. Hood caught just 13 passes out of the backfield last season and although he isn’t the most nimble or elusive, having him out in the flat as a threat helps to tax defenses.
The defense may be even better than it was last season. Seven starters are back to a unit that was rejuvenated with Chizik as the DC and its biggest playmakers return. MJ Stewart and Desmond Lawrence both were awarded all-ACC honors last season after a season in which they each broke up 14 passes.
If UNC is going to repeat as ACC Coastal champions, it has to earn it. The schedule is tough, with a non-conference game against Georgia and a cross-divisional game on the road against Florida State as well as a trip to division rival Miami. The Tar Heels should be pretty good again, but may not get the wins needed to win the division yet again.
College Football Odds: North Carolina Tar Heels Under 8.5 Wins +100
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