UNC football ranked 14th in ACC preseason predictions amid difficult 2026 schedule

USA TODAY Sports has released its preseason predictions for the Atlantic Coast Conference, ranking the North Carolina Tar Heels 14th out of 17 teams for the 2026 season. The assessment follows a 4-8 record in 2025, marking the first year of head coach Bill Belichick’s tenure at the collegiate level. The ranking reflects a challenging outlook for the program as it enters its second year under the former NFL head coach.

The Tar Heels are set to open their 2026 campaign on Saturday, 29 August, with a rematch against TCU in Ireland. The subsequent schedule is characterised by high-profile matchups against traditional powers, including Clemson on 19 September, Notre Dame on 3 October, and Miami (FL) on 31 October. These fixtures contribute to the perception of a difficult season ahead for the UNC football program.

In the preseason poll, North Carolina finishes ahead of Syracuse, ranked 15th, Stanford at 16th, and Boston College. The Tar Heels sit one position behind Wake Forest and former starting quarterback Gio Lopez. The prediction underscores the gap between UNC and the conference’s top contenders, with the team largely viewed as overmatched against tougher competition in the previous season.

Offensively, the Tar Heels have integrated new transfers, including Billy Edwards Jr. and Derek McDonald, alongside returning breakout star Melkart Abou-Jaoude. Abou-Jaoude is the only Tar Heel named to the USA TODAY Sports Preseason All-ACC Team, receiving an honourable mention. The addition of higher-profile players and recruits secured during Belichick’s second offseason represents a shift from the 2025 campaign, where recruiting success did not translate into wins.

North Carolina’s 2025 performance saw the team defeat only two Power Four programs, one struggling Group of Five squad, and one FCS school. While Belichick’s NFL background generated initial optimism, the 4-8 finish highlighted the transition challenges. The 2026 season will serve as a test of whether the coaching staff’s strategic adjustments and new personnel can improve the team’s standing in the ACC.