Preseason College Football Top 25 Countdown - #16 North Carolina

The college football season is less than three weeks away and as I try to pass the time between watching baseball highlights and Brett Favre speculation, I can't wait for the gridiron action to get started. So, if we can't watch football, we're going to talk football. So let's continue the Preseason College Football Top 25 Countdown.

#16. North Carolina Tarheels - Talk about a possible ACC title is all the rage on UNC campus these days and they're not just talking basketball. The Tarheels enter the 2010 season with the best defense in the SEC and one of the best in the nation. Defensive tackle Marvin Austin leads a group of six defensive stars (DE Robert Quinn, LB Quan Sturdivant, LB Bruce Carter, CB Kendric Burney, Safety Deunta Williams) that helped make UNC the #6 defense in the nation last season. Barring unforseen injuries the defense should be a rock for UNC and make opposing teams' point total low enough for the Tarheel offense to top.

Leading the maligned Tarheel offense will be senior QB T.J. Yates. The senior passer had an up and down season last year throwing for 14 TDs but with 15 picks. That said, Yates is the best option North Carolina has had at QB in years and will have a threat to throw to in WR Greg Little and an explosive playmaker in Jheranie Boyd. Toss in the return of RB Shane Draughn, who had 866 yards and three touchdowns a year ago and there is reason to believe in UNC's offense next season.

The season opener against LSU may prove to be a major water mark for the program. If the Heels can get past LSU they'll have momentum going into a conference schedule that features games at Miami and Florida State and home dates against Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. But with the strong defense returning there is reason to believe UNC can have a winning record in those games.