The Tar Heels are coming off a season in which they finished the 2016 season with an 8-5 overall record and 5-3 in the ACC. Under Head Coach Larry Fedora, there has only been one season in which they didn’t finish the season with a winning record (back in 2014, the Heels finished 6-7).
But this might be a season UNC hasn’t faced for quite some time now, with question marks surrounding several key positions, including several on the offensive end.
The Tar Heels lost a lot from last season, including several key playmakers. Now, they are looking for new names to step up in 2017. But with tough road games and with so many new names on the offensive end, the defense will have to step up in the biggest way.
However, this is a defensive unit that ranked 10th in the ACC in total defense, 14th in total rushing defense, and 8th in total defense scoring. Yet, the Heels did rank first in the ACC in passing yards allowed last season.
The Coastal Division has been up in the air almost every season, so there is no guarantee in this division. But here are the predicted wins and losses for the Tar Heels in 2017.
| North Carolina Tar Heels 2017 Season Predictions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Team | Result | Reason |
| Sept | |||
| 2 | California | Win | Rebuilding year/ Cal defense struggled |
| 9 | Louisville | Loss | Lamar Jackson very tough matchup |
| 16 | at Old Dominion | Win | Don't over look ODU, could be a tough road game |
| 23 | Duke | Win | 50/50 flip, could go either way, Heels at home |
| 30 | at Georgia Tech | Loss | GT returns a lot of experience from last year |
| Oct | |||
| 7 | Notre Dame | Loss | ND certainly hoping for bounce back season |
| 14 | Virginia | Win | UVa still in rebuilding mode, not quite there yet |
| 21 | at Virginia Tech | Loss | Hokies defense to much for Heels |
| 28 | Miami | Loss | Miami looking to make a huge statement in 2017 |
| Nov | |||
| 9 | at Pittsburgh | Loss | Thursday night game, tough one for inexperienced group |
| 18 | Western Carolina | Win | FCS opponent, possible tune up for Wolfpack |
| 25 | at NC State | Loss | Experience Pack at home |
