2017 ACC Football: Coastal Division Power Rankings week 11
Some Things Never Change
The year was 2002. The North Carolina Basketball squad was in total disarray in Coach Matt Doherty’s second season at his alma mater. The Tar Heels had lost eventual first round picks in Brendan Haywood and Joseph Forte, but were still expected to be alright.
Instead, what happened was one of the worst seasons in UNC history. Which brings us to Sunday, January 27th of that year. Clemson was coming to Chapel Hill. The Tigers had never beaten UNC at Chapel Hill, ever. Not in the Dean Dome, not Carmichael, never.
Clemson wasn’t great, 10-9 at the time, but were clearly better than a four-win squad who had losses to Hampton, Davidson, Charleston Southern, and a one-point win over Binghamton.
What could’ve been the end of a long streak for the Tigers instead ended in an 18-point victory for the Tar Heels. Some things never change and if anyone can understand that, it’s Pat Narduzzi and Pittsburgh.
The Panthers have never beaten North Carolina since joining the ACC. This isn’t just a never won at Chapel Hill, this is a never won period. If there was a year to do it, this was it.
UNC entered the game 1-8, losers of six straight. Pitt was on a two-game winning streak and looked to be getting things together. It ended with the Panthers being 0-5 against North Carolina in ACC play. Again, some things never change.
Pitt will be hoping for some things staying the same this week when they travel to play Virginia Tech. The Hokies have lost two straight and Pitt will have to hope that doesn’t change if they want to make a bowl game this season.