James Madison @ North Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2007 ) James Madison 14, North Carolina 37

THE STORY: North Carolina kicks off the Everett Withers era Saturday after the school fired Butch Davis on July 27 in a surprisingly late coaching change. The Tar Heels certainly can’t take James Madison lightly. The Dukes bring back one of the best defenses in the FCS. James Madison also recently stunned an ACC opponent at home, stunning Virginia Tech last September in Blacksburg.

TV: Fox Sports South, ESPN Game Plan or ESPN3.com. LINE: North Carolina -17.

ABOUT JAMES MADISON (2010: 6-5, 3-5 CAA): James Madison returns 10 starters from a defense that ranked third in the FCS in points allowed (14.7 per game) and eighth in total defense at 286.9 yards allowed. The offense should be improved. QB Justin Thorpe, a former CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, is back at full strength after getting injured in the first half of JMU’s season opener last year. Thorpe has a new position coach and play-caller. Head coach Mickey Matthews now holds both duties.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (2010: 8-5, 4-4 ACC): The Tar Heels boast their best offensive line in years, which should help keep first-year starting QB Bryn Renner comfortable. DE Quinton Coples is an elite player, racking up 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2010 while playing out of position at tackle. The early schedule is friendly for Withers, with three straight and four of UNC’s first five at home.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. James Madison’s players combined to undergo 33 surgeries last season.

2. The trick for Carolina is keeping focus on the field. The scandal over improper benefts that cost Davis his job has the school slated to appear before the Committee on Infractions in late October.

3. Withers was appointed on an interim basis to replace Davis. Carolina’s new man in charge has 25 years’ experience as an assistant coach, including six years on the Tennessee Titans’ staff.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 24, James Madison 7 – A strong UNC defense is bad news for a James Madison team that’s struggled offensively in recent years.