Could be a nasty start to a new seaon in the opener!!!

The UNC defense is going to be downright nasty next year. Earlier this week, five key players from UNC’s No. 6 nationally rated defense announced they’d be coming back to school for their senior seasons in 2010. Defensive tackle Marvin Austin, defensive backs Kendric Burney and Deunta Williams, and linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter will all be suiting up for the Tar Heels next season.

For ACC opponents, that’s a scary thought. Austin and Carter, both All-ACC selections, would have likely been late first- or early second-round NFL Draft picks. Burney and Williams combined for 11 interceptions this season, and Sturdivant led the Heels with 79 tackles. Unless any of the five stars change their minds, UNC will have 10 of its top 12 tacklers back in ’10. "The major reason ... is because we've got a chance to be special," Williams said this week. "I think there's a lot of unfinished business that we've got." My early pick for 2010’s ACC champions? Look no further than Chapel Hill.