Game Day vs. Elon

As a fan, I always get nervous before the first game of the season because you never know exactly what you are going to get. This season is much different for the North Carolina Tarheels than any other. New Head Coach Larry Fedora is unveiling a radically different offense and defense than anything the 'Heels have done before. A spread offense that will probably rack up more total offense and rewrite the Tarheel record books. The question I have is this offense going to be able to kill the clock nursing a 3 point lead with about 3 minutes to go in the game. The Tarheels are also unveiling a 4-2-5 defense that is attacking and aggressive and aims to turn defense into offense. Fedora's defense at Southern Miss returned 8 interceptions for TD's last year. It will be interesting to see what happens. The 'Heels have some offensive weapons in place in QB Bryn Renner and RB Gio Bernard. Wide Receiver could be a problem especially with training camp injuries to T.J. Thorpe and Reggie Wilkins. Coach Fedora has stated that he likes to use 8 wide receivers and the Tarheels go into this game with walk-ons Roy Smith and Mark McNeill as #7 and #8. On defense, the 'Heels have defensive lineman Sylvester Williams and Linebacker Kevin Reddick as the feature players but Seniors Dion Guy and Gene Robinson could play prominent roles in the new defense. Guy is playing a hybrid end/linebacker role and Robinson is playing a defensive back/linebacker role. It will be interesting to see how the 'Heels defend Elon Wide Receiver Aaron Mellette who had 113 receptions last year and at 6'4", would represent match up problems for any team. My prediction, UNC 34, Elon 21.