UNC vs McNeese State; The First Thoughts

Well, it's finally time to begin the focus on the game against McNeese State. As will happen every Tuesday before the game there will be First Thoughts, a blog where I will just give some thoughts about the game. Nothing specific, just random, about what I think of the game and what might/should/could happen during the sixty minutes of play.

First thought: Is T.J. Yates going to be the same as he was last year. You have to think that with the great receivers on the team and with a possible 1,000 yard rusher in the backfield, if there is a good QB under center this offense could definitely be sharp this season. So my first thought truly is will he be the same player he was last year, and if he is (or even better) you have to believe this is going to be an exciting year for head coach Butch Davis and his team.

Second thought: Will I see another 1,000 yard rusher this season. With Greg Little as the starter there are people who believe that North Carolina can go back to having a 1,000 yard rusher again. I am one of those people, and I think that we will see that from week one against McNeese State, and what the young man from Durham does against the Cowboys. A side thought to this is that when UNC gains yards it is going to be by a native Carolina player, as all three backs on the depth chart are in-state players.

Third thought: What will we see from the receivers. I've been waiting all summer long to watch Nicks and Tate eating up yards against the opponents. These two young men, who both have a future playing on Sunday in years to come, might just show the ACC (and the rest of the college football landscape) the talent they have this season. If the running game works for the Heels, and as a result the receivers aren't doubled all the time, both of these young men could be a threat to score anytime they touch the ball. Interesting enough, both of the WR are also in-state players.

Fourth thought: Will the defense bounce back from losing key players. The offense I have to believe is going to turn on all cylinders, if the defense can do the same, watch out ACC! Replacing Balmer isn't going to be easy. The defense last year gave up too many yards up the middle and they have to stop that if they want to be able to help the offense out in field position. If the defense doesn't become a liability for the team then I think the offense can do enough to win.

Last thought: Who is going to surprise me this year on the team. Whether positively or negatively, whether on offense or defense, with a team that has so much expectation you always know that there is going to be someone on the squad that will just surprise you. I am not sure it will be on offense, because it has been the focus of most people. But on defense, with so many youngsters that have some playing time, you just have to believe you're going to see someone emerge and take over at a position you didn't think of.

So, the first game and this is my First Thoughts for the season. You have any first thoughts for this game, let me know about them by putting them in comment box.