North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina Tar Heels As we head into the 2009 season, the North Carolina Tarheels football team hopes to gain some respect by not only contending for an ACC title, but by making some noise nationally.

In 2008, coach Butch Davis guided his Tar Heels to an 8-5 overall record. That is not bad for a team that is often over-shadowed by their basketball team. Now, they hope to take the next step.

Even Vegas odds makers are thinking that the Tar Heels may be turning some heads in 2009. They are calling North Carolina about a 30/1 shot to win the BCS Championship. Those betting odds do not make them one of the favorites in the ACC, however, this is some of the shortest odds they have even in years.

The Tar Heels sit at about 6/1 to win the ACC.

Offensively,
some key returning starters for the Tar Heels are quarterback T.J. Yates, running backs Shaun Draughn and Greg Little. Yates threw for 1,168 yards, while Draughn rushed for 866 yards and Little racked up 146 receiving yards.

On the other side of the ball, linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter look to anchor the Tar Heels defense. Cornerback Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams also return to the secondary, as each player had three interceptions apiece last season. In all, the North Carolina defense only has to replace two starters for the 2009 season.

Realistically, don't expect the North Carolina Tar Heels to be playing the likes of Florida or Oklahoma for a national title this season, but coach Butch Davis' crew will surely be making waves in the ACC.