Best / Worst Case Record for :
Louisville | Virginia | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | SMU | Boston College | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | Cal | NC State | Clemson | Syracuse | Stanford| Wake Forest
North Carolina
The last two years North Carolina has been on the brink of breaking through, and then there is a collapse. In 2022 they started the year 9-1 only to finish 9-5. Then in 2023 a 7-0 gave way to an 8-5 season. We know there is talent at UNC. Mack Brown has recruited well, but the defense has been a major achilles heel. Geoff Collins was a disaster as head coach at Georgia Tech, but he was brought in to shore things up on that side of the ball. He’s had success as DC in the past. There might not be a bigger wildcard team in the ACC than North Carolina. This could be a make-or-break season for Mack Brown after five seasons in Chapel Hill in his second stint there.
Will Go 10-2 (6-2) if:
The Heels can get off to a fast start and hold on. A game out at Minnesota will be a test, but it is certainly winnable. Then the Heels have Charlotte, NC Central, and James Madison. Duke is a rivalry game, but Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and at Virginia are games UNC shouldn’t feel like they can’t win either. UNC could get to a game at FSU 7-1 or 8-0. Then its hold to finish the season. The Heels have an All-American at in RB in Omarion Hampton and it will be tough to replace Drake Maye, but Max Johnson was a highly sought-after transfer QB. Mack Brown hasn’t released who will be the starter, but I think it will be Johnson. Now the defense has to leap forward for UNC to be a major factor in the ACC. If that happens UNC could really suprise.
Will Go 6-6 (3-5) if:
That defense stays in the ballpark of what we’ve seen in recent years. UNC has had NFL-caliber QBs the last few years, but even they couldn’t completely overcome the defensive liabilities. I think they’ll be OK at QB, but how do you replace that kind of talent? If Geoff Collins can’t get more out of the defense games at Minnesota and at Duke look far more dangerous. Georgia Tech has given UNC fits for years, and a game at FSU, at BC, and NC State could spell trouble. There could be an upset or two along the way as well, and UNC could end up fightoing all year to get to a bowl.
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