North Carolina Tar Heels: ACC Coastal preview
The Tar Heels seem to be the only real competition for the ACC Coastal title.
North Carolina has the most efficient passing attacks in the ACC and finished fifth in the NCAA in total offense and ninth in scoring. Their offense averaged 537 yards and 42 points per game and has a Heisman-caliber QB in Sam Howell.
The top two receivers from last year got drafted and the Tar Heels will now rely on Khafre Brown (over 20 yards per catch) and TE Garrett Walston. The OL has all five starters returning but they need to improve on pass protection. Their two star RBs have also departed via the draft.
The defense lost Chazz Surratt and needs to focus on turnovers, more TFLs, and more red zone stops. At least the LBs have great potential. The secondary needs to get more than just a handful of INTs.
2021-2022 ACC Coastal preview: North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina's strength: QB Sam Howell is a candidate for the Heisman Trophy. He has 7,227 passing yards, 68 TDs and 14 INTs in two years with the Tar Heels. Howell is known to create stars on his offense and will have to work his magic with both Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome gone.
North Carolina's weakness: The defense can't give the offense the ball back. LBs and DBs are fantastic tacklers and are great at breaking up passes. They just need better hands to grab those deflected passes. The defense had eight INTs all season.
Miami Hurricanes Key Players: Offense
QB: Sam Howell - Howell almost went to FSU but changed his mind at the last moment. As a freshman, he threw for 3,600 yards, 38 TDs and seven INTs in a pro-style offense. He's got the arm, the grit and is a lock to be a first-round pick in the next draft. He gives UNC their best shot at unseating Clemson.
RB: Ty Chandler - Michael Carter and Javonte Williams were a powerful duo who both declared for the draft. Chandler comes in from Tennessee, where he racked up over 2,000 yards and 13 TDs in four years. He will look to surpass his career-best with UNC.
Miami Hurricanes Key Players: Defense
LB: Tomon Fox - At OLB, Fox stands 6'4'' and has the speed to get into the backfield ,and the power to fight against the run. Fox is a sixth-year player with 21.5 sacks in five years. He could make it three straight years with double-digit sacks.
LB: Eugene Asante - Asante bulked up to 220 pounds this year after having 24 total tackles and ten in the bowl game. Most of the defensive talent is returning and Asante could have a breakout role. UNC needs playmakers, not players though.
2021-2022 North Carolina Tar Heels ACC schedule
Week 1: Friday, September 3, at Virginia Tech
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs Georgia State
Week 3: Saturday, September 18, vs Virginia
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, vs Georgia Tech
Week 5: Saturday, October 2, vs Duke
Week 6: Saturday, October 9, vs Florida State
Week 7: Saturday, October 16, vs Miami
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, at Notre Dame
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, vs Wake Forest
Week 10: Thursday, November 11, at Pittsburgh
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, vs Wofford
Week 12: Saturday, November 26, at NC State
2021-2022 North Carolina Tar Heels ACC prediction (10-2, 7-1 ACC)
UNC will have seven wins before running into Notre Dame. Pitt could be the deciding factor in the UNC/Miami battle. If one of them loses to the Panthers, North Carolina can kiss the ACC Championship good-bye.
Sam Howell won't win the Heisman but he will make a case for top-ten pick if he gets UNC the ACC Coastal title.
