Let's take a look at UNC football.
Best / Worse Case Record for :
Louisville | Virginia | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | Boston College | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | NC State | Clemson | Syracuse | Wake Forest
North Carolina
North Carolina football is at real cross roads. After a 3 win season, that included 7 double digit losses, they have plummeted to the bottom of ACC and the state of North Carolina. Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest have flown past UNC, leaving the Tar Heels and Larry Fedora in a precarious position. Injuries can in part explain a 3-9 2017 season, but a similar record won’t be accepted by UNC fans in 2018.
Will Go 7-5 (4-4) if:
The run defense can just be average. UNC’s run defense has been just dreadful the last few years Last year it ranked 113th in the country. That wold be a huge boost to the Tar Heels if that rush defense is better. UNC must get off to a fast start. 4 winnable games start the season – @California, @East Carolina, UCF, and Pittsburgh. If the Heels can get off to a 4-0 or at least 3-1 start, then the Heels have a chance to reach the 6 or 7 game plateau.
Georgia Tech at home, @Syracuse, @Virginia, @Duke, Western Carolina are games the UNC should have a shot to win. Their skill position talent on the offense is solid. Nathan Elliot has been named the starter at QB, and played reasonably well late last year when UNC won 2 of their final 3 games. If that can translate to an entire season, the Heels could be better than expected.
Will Go 3-9 (1-7) if:
That run defense doesn’t improve… Combine that with a bit of question mark at QB, and that’s a bad combination. The entire defense struggled last year and ranked 99th in the country. Similar numbers will be disastrous for the Tar Heels this season. Looking at the schedule, there isn’t a sure fire win until Western Carolina on November 17.
A 1-9 or 2-8 start is not out the question. The offense ranked 96th in 2017. There’s no chance the season will be successful if that happens. When your offense and defense ranked in the 90s one year, they better improve the next year.
