CHAPEL HILL - With so many expectations on North Carolina's season-opener against McNeese State on Saturday, tailback Greg Little made the Tar Heels' goal clear: "We're going to try to kill the ant with the sledgehammer."

But the question at some positions remains: Who's going to try to wield that hammer?

Nine "or" designations remained on UNC's first depth chart, released Monday. Coach Butch Davis erased one by saying that senior Bryon Bishop will start over sophomore Alan Pelc at left guard, although both will play.

"One of the things that Bryon has done is that every practice from the spring practice has been consistent. He's played at the same level, or better than he has -- no steps backward," he said.

In other position battles:

* Redshirt freshman Jay Wooten and walk-on Casey Barth will split the kicking duties. Before each game, coaches will spell out which kicks -- long field goals, short field goals, kickoffs, extra points -- each player will be responsible for making.

"We'll use the guy that we think gives us the best chance to execute that kick," Davis said. "If someone emerges during the course of the season ... that can handle it, than so be it. If it's kicking by committee, that's OK, too."

* Junior Cameron Sexton and redshirt freshman Mike Paulus are "pretty much tied" for the slot of backup quarterback, Davis said. That could be a key position, considering starter T.J. Yates is back from offseason shoulder surgery -- but hasn't taken a hit yet. Kenton Thornton and Cooter Arnold are still competing to back up wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

* Juniors Aaron Stahl and Lowell Dyer are separated by an "or" at starting center, although Davis has indicated in past weeks that Stahl would start. At fullback, Bobby Rome is still competing with Anthony Elzy; Bruce Carter or Chase Rice could start at one linebacking position; and either Jordan Hemby or Charles Brown will start at one corner.

* Little will start at tailback. But one interesting name that has moved up the ranks is sophomore Shaun Draughn, who switched over from safety during the spring and is listed third in the rotation, behind Little and sophomore Ryan Houston.

"There is no speculation that anybody past those three guys will play," Davis said. "Greg's going to get the lion's share of [the carries] earlier; we'll probably try to get Ryan in ... He and Shaun are sort of splitting time in that 'or' situation in the second group. Probably right now Ryan is slightly ahead in some respect."

Davis said he's close to making decisions at the "or" positions.

BRIEFLY: Because of the sale of several thousand Youth Day tickets, the 6 p.m. kickoff against McNeese State is a sellout -- UNC's fourth of the season. Single-game tickets are still available for Connecticut, Boston College and Georgia Tech.

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