Wahooze Season Preview - North Carolina

September 17th. Virginia @ North Carolina

I'd like to begin this preview with a brief statement: HAHAHAHAHAHA Butch Davis. HAHAHAHAHA Carolina sold its soul for a couple tire bowl wins.* Really though, who didn't see this coming? Even if Butch was blissfully unaware of his assistant coach's actions, he is still culpable. Eventually, the administration decided to cut ties - though the timing of such was both inexplicable and potentially damaging to their football program. But, let's get to where the Tar Heels stand currently.

*Note, The Continental Tire Bowl is a fine mid-level bowl that I have enjoyed attending and would be ECSTATIC to see UVA play in this or next season. However, it's not worth ruining your program's NCAA standing/integrity.

Newly appointed coach Everett Withers has a talented team, for sure, but the big key to their success will be cohesion in the face of an NCAA investigation. The front seven on defense have NFL talent, headlined by uber-freak Quinton Couples on the line and Quan Sturdivant at LB. However, the secondary is young, unproven, and replaces three starters from a unit that wasn't all that good last season.

Virginia native, Bryn Renner, takes over for the Heels at QB, replacing 7-year starter T.J. Yates. Renner was highly recruited, but UNC should be looking for him to simply manage the offense - not act as a game-changer. Ryan Houston finally takes over the starting job at RB (though I'm pretty sure he's scored 10+ TDs against UVA already in his career). At wideout, the Heels have talent and experience, highlighted by Dwight Jones.

So, how will it all come together for UNC? Can Coach Withers keep the talented group at the same level of production as his predecessor, or will the distractions and transitioning lead to mistakes on the field? I think the Heels have already proved they're a resilient bunch and their talent alone should get them to eight wins. Will they challenge VT for the Coastal? Not a chance.

Pierce's Preseason Pick: Defeat.

I have to follow this game while participating in my Tar Heel fan friends's wedding, which is a bad omen. I actually wouldn't be too shocked if we won, but I don't see it happening. Last year, the Heels showed that their athleticism is head and shoulders above UVA's - which isn't a shock, considering the players they paid enroll there. The South's Oldest Rivalry will probably remain baby-blue colored this year, as an upset this season would require stellar Mike Rocco play and plenty of mistakes on the Carolina side. That being said, worse UVA teams have beat better UNC teams in recent memory down in CH, so anything could happen.

UNC's campus feature an impressive antique urinal collection