To make it eight and five in a row, respectively, a lot will have to happen between September and January. But a second season under coach Carl Torbush should bear witness to the steady improvement that has the team second only to Florida State for wins among ACC schools in the 1990s.

Curry will benefit in his second season as a starter from the return of tight end Alge Crumpler. The second-team all-ACC choice in '97 missed all of last season after tearning ligaments in his left knee during the spring. He might not only be the best target, but the offense's best player. His return will bolster the line, as it will allow Allen Mogridge (6-4, 280) to move back to tackle. Mogridge will line up opposite the line's biggest player, tackle James Wagstaff, a 6-3, 355-pound road-grader. The unit's most consistent player is Bryan Jones. He played both tackle and guard last season.

Like Crumpler, receiver Jason Peace is expected to shine after a year lost to injury. Kory Bailey gained valuable experience in his absence, and the pair are expected to be a real downfield threat in '99. Deon Dyer led UNC with six TDs from his fullback position a year ago. He is back for his senior season, ready to open holes for tailback-by-committee crowd that includes last year's top ground-gainer Rufus Brown and Anthony Saunders, as well as speedy freshman Daniel Davis.

Spoon led the team in tackles last fall with 138 and is the returning sack leader. He is expected to establish himself as one of the premier players at his position in the country. Hodge was fourth on the team in tackles last year, starting every game at outside linebacker. Sims played in every game as a freshman last year, but was often anonymous despite the amount of playing time, notching just 31 tackles.

The Tar Heels will need him to get to the quarterback a few more times than his two sacks a year ago. Merceda Perry will join Spoon and Hodge at linebacker. Perry played well as a reserve last year, highlighted by a forced fumble against Virginia. Last year Billy-Dee Greenwood and Antwon Black shared time at free safety. This year Greenwood, who excelled in the offseason, will have the position to himself while Black moves to strong safety, hoping to beat out Quinton Savage. Both scholarship cornerbacks -- Errol Hood and Anthony Anderson -- will start, although a handful of the six recruits at the position, will also play.