Seven home games, along with a Thursday night game vs. Miami, and a meeting at border rival South Carolina are all apart of the 2013 North Carolina football schedule. North Carolina is 6-4 all-time in ESPN Thursday night games. Last season, Carolina topped Virginia, 37-13, in Charlottesville on Thursday evening. Their full schedule is listed below, but first let's preview the 2013 North Carolina Tar Heels.
North Carolina was under a post season ban last year, but it still survied to go 8-4 overall. The Tar Heels scored a lot of points and was as good as any just about any other Coastal Division squad, but they were not apart of the post season party, a dynamic likely to change in 2013.
Quarterback Bryn Renner is not be the ideal fit for Larry Fedora’s no-huddle spread attack. Last season Renner finished third in the ACC in passing efficiency and touchdown passes, plus he also set a school single-season record with his 28 TD passes. he now has a full season under this scheme and he has his top two pass catchers back fro last year, so I Look for this unit to be even better this year. Renner top running back Giovani Bernard behind him, but UNC features a nice 1-2 punch on the ground with A.J. Blue and speedster Romar Morris. the OL is a question mark as they must replace three-fifths of what was the ACC top OL line last year. Left tackle James Hurst is among the nation’s best players at his position, but they needs some solid contributors to emerge at right tackle and both guard spots.
On defense, the Heels have some talent.They do have some holes in the front 7 but overall this unit is deep with 7 starters back and 21 of 29 lettermen. The secondary has a chance to be outstanding, with all 4 starters returning, while the pass rush is led by DE Kareem Martin on one side. It’s the middle of the Carolina defense that could be a little soft, especially now that its best tackle and best linebacker are playing on Sundays. The Heels have some depth at tackle, aided by former end Tim Jackson, while LB Travis Hughes has been sharp in practice at the weak side.
The Tar Heels offense will be strong this year and should come close to the 40.6 ppg they put up last year. That is if the OL gels and Renner stays healthy. On the defensive side they should be much improved and could flirt with allow less than 20 ppg this year. The defense will be key and it will keep them from having to win too many shootouts. At least I look for the Heels to match last years 8-4 mark and make it back to a bowl game. Key Trends--- 1-5 ATS last 6 vs NC State... 5-0 ATS before facing Georgia Tech... 1-6 ATS as conference road favorites vs an opponent with revenge.
2013 North Carolina Schedule
Aug. 29 at South Carolina (Thursday), ESPN
Sept. 7 MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Sept. 14 OPEN
Sept. 21 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 28 EAST CAROLINA
Oct. 5 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 12 OPEN
Oct. 17 MIAMI (Thursday), ESPN
Oct. 26 BOSTON COLLEGE
Nov. 2 at NC State
Nov. 9 VIRGINIA
Nov. 16 at Pittsburgh
Nov. 23 OLD DOMINION
Nov. 30 DUKE
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