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UNC Football: 5 reasons the North Carolina Tar Heels can win the ACC

By Horran Cameron

Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; ACC Championship Trophy on display prior to the start of the ACC football championship game between the Clemson Tigers and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; ACC Championship Trophy on display prior to the start of the ACC football championship game between the Clemson Tigers and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Reason No. 3 – UNC’s Defense (Addition by Subtraction)

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2015, North Carolina’s defense was ranked 95th in total defense. UNC had a second-team all-ACC defensive back (Des Lawrence) and two third-team all-ACC linebackers (Shakeel Rashad, Jeff Schoettmer).

Although Rashad and Schoettmer are NFL-bound, Lawrence is back for his senior season. In the secondary, he is joined by MJ Stewart who is another star on Carolina’s defense.

Surely, being ranked 95th in anything is nothing to brag or boast. However, keep in mind that Lawrence helped lead a defense that was instrumental in winning 11 straight games in 2015.

Lawrence’s veteran leadership will be key to Carolina’s success defensively.

He will be joined by newcomer true freshman Jonathan Smith, two-time Southeastern 4-A Conferencer Defensive Player of the Year. Smith is No.2 on North Carolina’s depth chart at linebacker behind Andre Smith, who was a true freshman last season.

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