North Carolina holds its first news conference of the season Monday, and this one will be a bit different than your normal season-is-here type of affair.

The news conference will start around 11:30 a.m., and you can expect UNC to release its first depth chart of the season. That will give fans an indication of what’s happening with the program.

Capital Sports will be in Chapel Hill and will file live from Kenan Stadium.

WRAL reported last week, citing an unnamed source, that six UNC defensive starters were on the scout team in Thursday’s practice. WRAL reported that defensive tackle Marvin Austin continued to run with the second team.

Carolina lacks experience on defense, which is understandable given that so many of its players are seasoned veterans who were healthy in 2009.

Here’s a breakdown of the defense by unit from the preseason depth chart – the players whose availability has been questioned are in bold:

LDE: Jr. Quinton Coples; Soph. Donte Paige-Moss
LDT: Sr. Marvin Austin; Jr. Jordan Nix
RDT: Jr. Tydreke Powell; Fr. Jared McAdoo
RDE: Jr. Robert Quinn; Jr. Michael McAdoo

The Tar Heels have been using  Quinton Coples at defensive tackle in case Austin wasn’t available. A defensive front of Paige-Moss, Coples, Powell and Michael McAdoo is still strong, but not one packed with stars like the Heels have now. And there’s no Robert Quinn, who demands double-teams.

Will LB: Sr. Quan Sturdivant; Jr. Zach Brown
MLB: Soph. Kevin Reddick; Soph. Shane Mularkey
Sam LB: Sr. Bruce Carter; Soph. Dion Guy

Zach Brown started six games, and he’s one of UNC’s fastest players. But Dion Guy has five tackles as a freshman – the drop from Carter to Guy would be enormous.

CB: Sr. Charles Brown; Soph. Mywan Jackson
SS: Sr. Da’Norris Searcy; Sr. Jonathan Smith
FS: Sr. Deunta Williams; Jr. Matt Merletti
CB: Sr. Kendric Burney; Jr. LeCount Fantroy

Burney and Brown have combined for 15 career interceptions – together, they are one of the best pair of corners around. Burney is the more experienced and more touted, but he has been raving about Brown’s progress in the spring.

North Carolina athletics director Dick Baddour said Thursday there is now a “two-pronged” investigation, but the two have a central theme – UNC football players apparently acted in ways they knew or should have known were wrong.

There’s no way Carolina players should have taken a trip to the West Coast for a workout camp. Had they checked with the school’s compliance office, they would have found that wasn’t allowed under NCAA rules.

What the school announced Thursday was even more serious. Any elementary school kid knows you can’t turn in homework that’s not your own. If a player turned in a paper they didn’t write, they should get a failing grade for the class and be suspended from the team for a season. There’s really no middle ground here.

All this sets up a season like no other at UNC. Carolina has its best team since 1997 but faces a schedule that’s as unforgiving as an NCAA investigator. A 7-5 season is a real possibility, especially if multiple starters are sitting out games – or even the season. Carolina’s starting defense is astonishing but the depth beyond that is unproven, and there will be few easy Saturdays this fall.

Here’s our projection for 2010:

Sept. 4, vs. LSU: Winnable? Sure. Carolina will play hard and want to put on a good show. But the Tar Heels could be absent too many starters to beat LSU, even if the Tigers are no longer an elite SEC program.

Sept. 18, Ga. Tech: This game is tough for UNC even at full strength. Carolina never got a handle on the Yellow Jackets offense last year – look for Tech to prevail again.

Sept. 25, at Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were 9-4 last year but had heavy losses, with only 12 starters back. Look for a frustrated Carolina to win.

Oct. 2, East Carolina: ECU’ new offense will be fun, but the Pirates don’t have the weapons to win in Chapel Hill this time. The Heels get this one.

Oct. 9, Clemson: Ah, it’s Family Day in Chapel Hill, and the Tigers arrive for the first time since 2002. It’s always fun to see so much orange in Orange County – but it also serves as a reminder of how expansion has changed the league. Clemson and UNC haven’t played since 2006, and this time, look for Carolina to win.

Not looking forward to Oct. 16

Oct. 16, at Virginia: Even Thomas Jefferson is picking against the Wahoos this time, as this long streak has to end. Carolina finally gets a victory in Charlottesville.

Oct. 23, at Miami: Miami QB Jacory Harris has racked up preseason plaudits, but remember, he threw 17 interceptions last season. UNC’s defense is a pick-hungry lot, but if Harris can play under control, Miami should win. The Canes were 9-4 last year and are steadily improving under Randy Shannon.

Oct. 30, William and Mary: An easy win for UNC, even though the Tribe won 11 games last season.

Nov. 6, at Florida State: Last year’s loss to FSU was a crusher for the Heels, but they have a chance if they are full strength. Still, you have to believe the Seminoles will be on the rise at this point in the season as they adapt to Jimbo Fisher in his first year as head coach. By the way, this is the Seminoles’ Homecoming game.

Nov. 13, Va. Tech: Carolina’s win in Blacksburg last season was impressive, especially with 181 yards on the ground, and Tech returns only four starters on a defense. So there’s reason for optimism for UNC fans. Still, it’s hard to imagine Carolina beating the Hokies two years in a row.
Tech’s offense will be formidable – this game goes to maroon and gold.

Nov. 20, N.C. State: Tom O’Brien finally loses to light blue. But if Carolina has five losses at this point and then falls to State for the fourth straight season, you can write this off as one of the most disappointing seasons in Tar Heel history.

Nov. 27, Duke:  Carolina has won 19 of 20 against Duke, which makes it hard to remember when the Blue Devils used to win the Victory Bell. Nowadays, this quaint tradition between the schools seems difficult to remember. Once again, the Heels will be ringing it at game’s end.

Here are 10 football games that are within driving distance in the Triangle area tonight. In bold is the predicted winner. Most games are at 7:30 p.m. Check with local officials as some games start at 7.
My record last week was 7-3.

Apex at Durham Riverside

Broughton at Garner

Clayton at Fuquay Varina

East Chapel Hill at Cardinal Gibbons

East Wake at Wake Forest Rolesville

Enloe at Athens Drive

Green Hope at Leesville Road

Holly Springs at Wakefield

Northern Nash at Cary

Southern Durham at Middle Creek

Check the scores in our Sports Roundup on the left navigation bar.

Coach Jim Grobe put Wake Forest football on the map. While these are no longer the days of people painting “Wake zero” on I-40 signs, the Deacons record this year might not show it. Grobe gets the best out of his players but this year’s team is not as good as last year’s team which went just 5-7.

Without four-year starting QB Riley Skinner and without three excellent offensive linemen who graduated, the Deacons will struggle to score enough points to overcome an average-at-best defense which is thought to be soft up the middle. On offense, Cary’s Josh Adams will have a lot of chances to carry the ball as the Deacs focus more on the ground game and less on the passing game. A lot will rely on him.

Wake will be in a lot of games and can reach five wins but, again, the Deacs aren’t as good as last year’s team that won five. It will be a frustrating season but then again expectations are low. Only Virginia and possibly Maryland can rival the Deacons as the worst team in the conference this year. While all six of the home games are winnable, I’m picking Wake to win only two of them and to win only one on the road.

The Deacs hit a temporary bump in the road this year and finish at 3-9.

Here’s a game-by-game breakdown:

Sept. 2, Presbyterian: Against the Demon Deacons, Presbyterian doesn’t have a prayer.

Sept. 11, Duke: Wake has a couple of extra days to prepare for the Blue Devils and this should be a close one. But Wake is on the way down and Duke is on the way up. Devils by a field goal.

Sept. 18, at Stanford: Stanford is still fuming about losing a 14-point lead to Wake last year and about a controversial clipping call that negated a chance to take the lead. Stanford won’t let this one slip away at home. Stanford.

Sept. 25, at Florida State: Florida State is perhaps the best team in the ACC and Wake could be the worst or next to worst to Virginia. Easy win for the Seminoles.

Oct. 2, Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech should be beatable this year but they are still a bit better than Wake, even on the road. While the Deacons very well could win, the edge goes to Georgia Tech.

Oct. 9, Navy: We’ll see a lot of a good Navy team as the Midshipmen play three ACC teams and ECU. Wake Forest lost a heartbreaker in Annapolis last year and will want revenge. Both teams play the option so they each get a lot of practice against it. By now, the Deacs are adjusting to life without Skinner. Wake Forest gets a break or two and upsets Navy at home for the second victory of the season.

Oct. 16, at Virginia Tech: Again, the argument could be made that the Hokies are perhaps the best team in the ACC. Easy win for Virginia Tech.

Oct. 30, at Maryland: The Terrapins aren’t very good but they are at home and they should have enough to eek by Wake Forest. Terrapins by less than a touchdown.

Nov. 6, Boston College: Wake Forest really should have beaten BC in Chestnut Hill last year but fell in overtime. The Deacons are still stinging from this loss. Will Wake Forest let this one slip away at home? Sorry, but yes. It’s a good game but BC pulls it out again.

Nov. 13, at N.C. State: The Wolfpack better win this one or there might be another coaching search in Raleigh at the end of the season. State wins going away.

Nov. 20, Clemson: Clemson is only average this year and if the season has gone south for them, they could be demoralized and the Deacs could win in their last home game. As in other games, the Deacons will hang in there but come up short. Tigers hold on.

Nov. 27, at Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt’s program has had a lot of turmoil and is coming off a very poor season. Wake Forest should spill out a lot of built up frustration and whip the Commodores.

That makes the season prediction 3-9.

If Wake finds someone to take Skinner’s place adequately and the Deacs’ offensive line matures quickly, Wake Forest could match last year’s disappointing 5-7 record. That record wouldn’t be disappointing this year.

While I have a lot of faith in Grobe, I don’t have a lot of faith in his horses, who ride into the sunset with a 3-9 record.

The University of North Carolina’s honor code is quite clear on penalties for academic plagiarism, which could have direct implications on how the investigation into Butch Davis’ program plays out.

UNC leaders confirmed Thursday night, in a press conference that was stunning for people who have followed the program, that they are looking into “academic improprieties” with the football team. Coach Butch Davis confirmed that a former tutor who had worked with his high-school aged son is the woman involved.

Athletics director Dick Baddour wouldn’t say how many players are involved or give a timetable on when the school will make a decision on their eligibility. Baddour said the school is still early in the process of gathering information.

But here’s where this gets tricky. Say the tutor wrote a paper and the player turned it in for a grade. Under Carolina’s Honor Code, the penalties could include “participation on or in … athletic teams (including intramural teams) as a member, coach or manager.”

Also, there’s the question of whether a player is now eligible. That’s where the Honor Code, called “The Instrument” in academic parlance, has real teeth. Here’s the critical part:

2. Academic Dishonesty.

a. For an initial instance of academic dishonesty,
…i. The usual sanction for grade-related misconduct shall be a failing grade in the course, an aspect or component of the course, or on the assignment as recommended by the instructor, and suspension for one full academic semester or until specified conditions are met
…ii. The minimum sanction for grade-related misconduct shall be a failing grade in the course, component or aspect of the course, or on the assignment as recommended by the instructor; probation for at least one full academic semester; an additional educational assignment or other requirements as appropriate; and a written warning that further academic misconduct will lead to more serious sanctions.

b. For a second or subsequent instance of academic dishonesty, the minimum sanction shall be suspension for at least two full academic semesters.

In other words, say UNC discovers Linebacker Larry turned in a false paper in the spring of 2010. That could mean he now gets a failing grade in that class, and might not be eligible for competition this fall. So Carolina is not only trying to figure who did (and didn’t) cavort with agents, it also has to sort through an academic mess to double-check eligibility.

Baddour, who began his career in compliance at UNC, insisted Carolina has excellent training for its tutors, and they are given explicit instructions on what they can and can not do for athletes. He said that at the end of each year, tutors are asked “point blank” if they ran into any problems. Athletes, too, are told what is allowed under university rules.

But anyone who graduated from elementary schools knows the basics – if you turn it in at school, it has to be your work.

The academic scandal has two significant implications.

First, Carolina began practicing on Monday with the team it thinks it will field against LSU.

So that’s why, as InsideCarolina.com reported, some starters were on the scout team.

Second, it’s possible the grade allegations could knock multiple players off the team for the season.

Davis said all the right things Thursday night, and Baddour spoke out strongly in favor of his coach.

“I believe in the leadership of this football program,” Baddour said. “When we hired Butch Davis, we believed he was the right fit for the University of North Carolina. And I continue to believe that. He has my support.”

Still, there’s no disputing Thursday was a stunning, and bleak, day for the UNC football program.

North Carolina’s strange football preseason took another unexpected turn Thursday afternoon when InsideCarolina reported the school has self-reported academic infractions involving the team to the NCAA.

Carolina coach Butch Davis was scheduled to meet with reporters at around 3:20 p.m., after the afternoon practice, but that session was cancelled. The school will hold a news conference with Davis, athletics director Dick Baddour and chancellor Holden Thorp at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night.

NCAA investigators have been on the Chapel Hill campus twice to interview UNC players.

Former UNC and Washington Redskins star Chris Hanburger, now 69 years old, has been approved for induction in the the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio by the Hall’s senior committee. It will come up for a full vote in February.

Hanburger was one of Carolina’s first great linebackers. He starred for the Heels from 1962-64 and led them to an ACC championship and a Gator Bowl win during the 1963 season. He also played center on offense. He was named to the All-ACC team both his junior and senior seasons.

Hanburger, who majored in history, now spends much of his time reading books about American history and says he doesn’t keep up with pro football much because it just doesn’t interest him.

Hanburger played with the Redskins his entire pro career from 1965-78 and was named to nine Pro Bowl teams including in 1972 when he was also chosen as the NFC defensive player of the year. In the off season, he worked at Ford car dealerships and eventually owned one himself.

Hanburger, the defensive captain, was known for his hard hits and playing through pain. He played in 135 consecutive games for the Redskins. He mastered the art of the clothesline tackle, which is no longer legal in the NFL. He sidelined many a runningback and receiver by sticking that immovable arm around their neck. Before it incurred a penalty, it was fun to watch.

No. 55 was honored in 2002 as one of the 70 greatest Washington Redskins players of all time.