The North Carolina Tar Heels enter 2021 with all kinds of optimism after an 8-4 campaign in 2020 (7-3 ACC). Coach Mack Brown returns for his fourth year in this stint in Chapel Hill, with a 15-10 record so far this time around. The key for the Tar Heel rise has been the passing game, as the team led the ACC in passing efficiency and the team was fifth in the nation in total offense (537 yards per game) and ninth in the nation in points per game (42). Quarterback Sam Howell returns for a third season at the helm of the offense, looking to make a significant impression on NFL scouts.
What NFL betting choices can you make about the Tar Heels? Let’s take a quick look.
NCAA News: 5 Fearless Bets about North Carolina Football in 2021
Sam Howell will set a passing yardage record and threaten a completion record
If Howell were set on playing all four years at North Carolina, he would absolutely own the passing section of the record book. Even so, he tied Darian Durant for the school record in touchdown passes in a career with 68 — doing in two seasons what had taken Durant four. In the season opener, expect to see Howell break that record against Virginia Tech. However, he is also about 2,100 yards away from the career passing yardage record, and given that his season average has been more than 3,500 yards in each of his first two years, that record seems ready to fall. The completion record for one season, held by Mitch Trubisky, sits at 304, and for Howell to break that, the team might have to qualify for the ACC title game.
The offensive line will yield fewer sacks and tackles for loss this season
This is a big O-line, and all five starters come back, led by left guard Joshua Ezeudu and tackle Jordan Tucker. Will the Tar Heels have a solid running game? Javonte Williams and Michael Carter scored 28 touchdowns and averaged almost 7.5 yards per carry a season ago combined. This year, the team has to replace their numbers. Tennessee transfer Ty Chandler will be part of the rotation, along with D.J. Jones and British Brooks, both of whom have the size to get yards after contact.
North Carolina will intercept more passes this season
The entire secondary returns its starters from last season. Cam’Ron Kelly, Don Chapman and Trey Morrison are all tough tacklers from the safety position. Storm Duck, Kyler McMichael and Tony Grimes make a dangerous rotation of cornerbacks. More takeaways will allow for even more dynamic scoring from an offense that is already white-hot — and the offense won’t have to compensate for as many defensive miscues as they did last year.
The Tar Heels will have to run more to win games
The Tar Heels were 5-0 in 2020 when they ran for at least 200 yards. They were 3-4 in their other games. Against Virginia, they only managed 93 yards and lost. The same went for losses to Texas A&M (90 yards), Notre Dame (87) and Florida State (184). That loss to the Seminoles included way too many tackles for loss. If the Tar Heels want to get to the ACC title game and push Clemson, that O-line needs to open up more holes and protect Howell.
Expect a big season out of Khafre Brown
The sophomore wide receiver was third on the squad with 337 receiving yards, as he hauled in 15 catches and scored a pair of touchdowns. Josh Downs had 17 yards per reception, and Beau Corrales had more than 18 yards per catch. Brown looks like the most likely candidate to get closer to 50 or 60 catches over the course of the season — and to stretch the season for big plays.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football games? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
