Countdown to Kickoff Day 26: #25 UNC Tar Heels

As a UVA fan I will catch some heat saying this from my fellow Wahoos, but this team is legit and I am probably disrespecting them by putting them at #25 in the rankings. Drake Maye is a legit Heisman contender, their tailbacks will be dominant, and they are bringing in solid receivers in from the transfer portal to replace Josh Downs.

Mack Brown’s team started the year 9-1 last year getting as high as #13 in the AP poll. But then dropped their final four games to finish the year 9-5. The struggle to the finish line does not take away from the fact that they earned a spot in the ACC Championship game, and a top tier bowl game vs. Oregon.

With the ACC becoming one big conference this year instead of two separate divisions, it will be difficult for this team to make their second ACC championship game in a row, but consider them a serious dark horse.

The defense will be the issue, as it was last year. They allowed over 30 points per game, over 440 yards per game, and opponents hit at an over 65% completion rate against them. Gene Chizik’s group has a lot of improving to do and they will rely on experience to do that. There is not much changing from last year other than a couple transfers at the defensive back position, but nothing major. Chizik will have to switch something up from last year or else they will get exposed again.

The Tar Heel offense will keep them in every game this year, and having a sub par defense in the ACC isn't a deal breaker. They will struggle against Clemson, but I can make a point on why they will win every other game on their schedule. Now, obviously that won’t happen but I could definitely argue it.

How Many Games Will UNC Win In 2023?

• 9 or more
• 8 or less

Prediction: 8-4.