Carolina could be good but then they have to put TJ Yates on the field to throw at least one pick a game. They do have a redshirt frosh who shined on Saturday but Yates has a history of throwing a lot of picks. I don't see this changing unless he is out at QB.

Yates played very well in 2008. 11 TD to only 4 picks. Carolina's problem last year was that he didn't improve.

If they have him sorted out there is no question this is a top 15-20 team.

gibby08 wrote: He attended their spring game...and says they have the best D in America and better athletes on D than Ohio State

Their defense is a top 5 defense. Their offense will not even be in the top 75 in CFB. Therefore, they won't be anywhere near the top 10 by season's end. End of story.

Red_Skin_Pride wrote:

gibby08 wrote: He attended their spring game...and says they have the best D in America and better athletes on D than Ohio State

Their defense is a top 5 defense. Their offense will not even be in the top 75 in CFB. Therefore, they won't be anywhere near the top 10 by season's end. End of story.

I don't think UNC will be a legit national contender, but top 15 to top 10 is a possibility.

Especially since your post described the 2002-2003 Ohio State team.

I don't know if North Carolina will be Top 5 in the ACC. I think Va Tech, Georgia Tech, Miami, Clemson and FSU will have something to say about that.

Spielman knows the game as well as anyone, but this is just an opinion, not a fact so don't get all pissed off because he thinks different than you do. Do I think NC is atop 5 team? HELL NO but again that's just my opinion and the season will sort out the truth.

LTrain23 wrote:

Red_Skin_Pride wrote:

gibby08 wrote: He attended their spring game...and says they have the best D in America and better athletes on D than Ohio State

Their defense is a top 5 defense. Their offense will not even be in the top 75 in CFB. Therefore, they won't be anywhere near the top 10 by season's end. End of story.

I don't think UNC will be a legit national contender, but top 15 to top 10 is a possibility.

Especially since your post described the 2002-2003 Ohio State team.

While I agree with that, the two things UNC will lack this year on offense vs. the 02-03 OSU team is a consistent running threat (Clarrett) and a QB who turns the ball over very rarely. They have some talent in the backfield, but no one who is really proven, mostly due to injury. And they have two talented QB's, but the returning starter turns the ball over WAY too much, and the other kid is a freshman. IMO, they will be very tough next year, when the freshman has a year under his belt, and Davis has yet another year to bring in a boatload of defensive talent. I don't disagree with Speilman that they will be good (and I think they've gotten better and better under Davis, much more competitive) this year, but I just think they're too inconsistent on offense this year to be deemed a top 10 team. Again, I think next year or the year after will be their year to be a serious NC contender.

VT and GT will be the favorites. I am sure NC will be tough they were last year but a top 5 team? Top 5? Really top 5?

I don't think so. I would be shocked if they are in the top ten.

Carolina has a top 5 defense no doubt, but their offense is not very good. Tyler Yates is dreadful most of the time and their offensive line isn't a downhill type blocking unit. They will struggle to get points against teams with capable defensive units.

They open against LSU in the Georgia Dome, they have a chance to make a statement, but my guess is they won't.

Also, I am taking Virginia Tech to win the national championship in 2011, even having to play at Kenan I think the hokies offense is stellar now that they have some experience at the qb position and in the backfield.

LTrain23 wrote:

Red_Skin_Pride wrote:

gibby08 wrote: He attended their spring game...and says they have the best D in America and better athletes on D than Ohio State

Their defense is a top 5 defense. Their offense will not even be in the top 75 in CFB. Therefore, they won't be anywhere near the top 10 by season's end. End of story.

I don't think UNC will be a legit national contender, but top 15 to top 10 is a possibility.

Especially since your post described the 2002-2003 Ohio State team.

That is the exact thought that I had.

swamisez wrote: Carolina has a top 5 defense no doubt, but their offense is not very good. Tyler Yates is dreadful most of the time and their offensive line isn't a downhill type blocking unit. They will struggle to get points against teams with capable defensive units.

They open against LSU in the Georgia Dome, they have a chance to make a statement, but my guess is they won't.

Also, I am taking Virginia Tech to win the national championship in 2011, even having to play at Kenan I think the hokies offense is stellar now that they have some experience at the qb position and in the backfield.

WOW Swami I appreciate you gutsy early call.

I would not not mind if VT won a NT. Beamer is a great coach and VT is my other team besides Ohio St.