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UNC Football: 247 Sports likes Tar Heels’ chances in ACC Coastal

By Zack Pearson

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Dazz Newsome #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play 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: Dazz Newsome #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play 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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The UNC Football program is projected to be a contender in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division this year as 247 Sports makes their predictions

We are still a few months away from the start of the 2020 college football season but as the days go on, it appears more and more likely we will get a season this Fall.

As we sit in these Summer months, publications are starting to roll out their annual previews for the upcoming season and a lot have given respect to the North Carolina Tar Heels as they enter the second year under Mack Brown’s second stint. And rightfully so.

UNC is coming off a 7-6 season in which they won their first bowl game since 2013 and return the majority of their starters on offense and defense. The excitement level is at an all-time high for the Tar Heels led by quarterback Sam Howell and linebacker Chazz Surratt. In fact, the Tar Heels are being predicted by some to win the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division and if that happens, it would setup a likely rematch with Clemson in Charlotte.

The latest to hype up the Tar Heels is 247 Sports, who released their predictions for the upcoming season. The outlet predicted Clemson to win the Atlantic Division and reach Charlotte again in 2020.

In the Coastal, they have the Tar Heels edging out Miami for the right to square off against the Tigers. Here is what 247 Sports had to say about the Tar Heels:

"The Air Raid offense is exactly what UNC needed to rebound last season, and now it’s time to be more consistent. Howell will get most of the attention — and he should after throwing a school-record 38 touchdowns last season. The top two tailbacks return, with Michael Carter (1,003) leading the way after breaking a school record for per-carry average. The defense will be fine, if not elite, but that should be enough in a topsy-turvy Coastal Division that has as much parity as any other division in football.Virginia Tech and Miami will challenge, but the Tar Heels have the best offense and quarterback in the division and should emerge as the winner, particularly with home games against Tech and Pitt. Circle the trip to Miami on Nov. 24 as the game that potentially decides the division. Tech has too many unknowns after an avalanche of departures in the offseason. The defense should be the strength for the Hokies, but the secondary needs to be more consistent."

The writers at 247 Sports did pick Clemson to win the conference but hey, at least they are giving UNC some respect.

With all of this hype going into 2020, the Tar Heels are hoping they can grab national attention during the season in the polls as well. They have that opportunity early on as they open the season on the road at UCF and then take on Auburn in a neutral site showdown in Atlanta. If they start the year 2-0, we should see they climb the polls.

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