UNC football named a surprise team by college football analyst
For the North Carolina Tar Heels, expectations are high going into the 2023 college football season. Last season the Tar Heels started off 9-1 before losing the last four games of the year including the ACC title game and the Holiday Bowl.
But with Drake Maye back for another season, the Tar Heels are hoping to finish some business and claim an ACC title.
UNC isn’t one of the two teams being picked to win the conference title, coming behind both Florida State and Clemson in most predictions so far this offseason. However, one analyst believes the Tar Heels are one of 12 teams that could surprise for the upcoming season.
Phil Steele listed UNC among his surprise teams in his annual magazine which is one of the most well-known in the industry. Here is what On3 had to say about the ranking from Steele:
Quarterback Drake Maye is enough to warrant a spot on this list. Yet, there’s more to the Tar Heels than a talented QB. UNC ranked second in the ACC in yards per game and third in scoring. Those numbers could increase with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey taking over.
UNC’s fate will ultimately fall on its defense. Luckily for the Tar Heels, it won’t be the same defense that allowed 30.8 points a game last fall. North Carolina returns linebackers Cedric Gray and Power Echols while also folding in transfer additions Armani Chatman (Virginia Tech) and Alijah Huzzie (ETSU).
If the Tar Heels do want to surprise some teams and make a run, it will be on the defense. We’ve seen what Maye can do already as the starting quarterback but it won’t matter if the defense struggles.
Let’s hope they figured it out this offseason and can turn in a solid unit here in 2023.
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