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UNC Football: Where Tar Heels stand in latest preseason rankings

By Zack Pearson

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a score against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the Belk College Kickoff game at Bank of America Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a score against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the Belk College Kickoff game at Bank of America Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Where does the UNC Football program stand in the latest Way Too Early Top 25 by Athlon Sports? Well, they are receiving some praise

As the days go on and the country starts to re-open again, the chances of seeing college football next year continue to increase. And that’s good news for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Going into this season, there is a lot of excitement and high expectations for the Tar Heels as they are coming off a 7-6 campaign with their first bowl win since 2013. In Mack Brown’s first year, the Tar Heels were able to turn things around overall after a dismal two-year stretch. There is now hope for the Tar Heels and the national media is starting to buy in as well.

Already this offseason we have seen publications like ESPN, USA Today and SportingNews among others praise the Tar Heels.

Now Athlon Sports has released their updated preseason rankings for the 2020 season and the Tar Heels are getting some love. The Tar Heels check in at No. 18 for Athlon’s updated Way Too Early rankings for the 2020 season.

The publication had praise for both Brown and quarterback Sam Howell who finished with one of the best true freshman seasons in Atlantic Coast Conference history:

"Mack Brown is already off to a fast start in his return to the sidelines in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels improved their win total by five games from 2018, with all six defeats coming by seven points or less. With a little better luck in close games, along with the development of rising star quarterback Sam Howell, Brown’s team is Athlon’s pick to the win the ACC Coastal in 2020. Howell threw for 3,641 yards and 38 scores last fall and is only going to get better as a sophomore."

The Tar Heels will return a bunch of starters from their offense and defense last season, as well welcome in a Top 20 recruiting class for the 2020 cycle. The future is certainly bright in Chapel Hill and UNC will have the chance to really get back in the national spotlight.

UNC will open up the season at UCF and then travel to Atlanta to take on Auburn. Both matchups should be against ranked opponents and if the Tar Heels can start 2-0 they should climb up the early season Top 25 rankings.

It could be a special year in Chapel Hill.

Next. Tar Heels land 4-star WR from South Carolina. dark

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