UNC Football: Why Carolina Can Win The National Championship This Year

This upcoming season could end with the UNC football program bringing home the National Championship.

The last time North Carolina had this much promise heading into the season, Leonardo DiCaprio was starring in Titanic, which was the last year the Tar Heels finished in the top-10 of the Associated Press Poll. Ironically enough, Mack Brown was the head coach then, grabbing an 11-1 record that season and a Gator Bowl victory. Now embarking on his third season back with the program, the pressure to win now matches his 90’s-led teams.

This season could not only prove that the UNC football program is the real deal, but also that they can compete with the top schools in the nation. The door is wide open in the Atlantic Coast Conference for a new champion with Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, both main contributors to Clemson’s recent reign of dominance, getting selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. Sam Howell, who is now looked at by many as the best quarterback not only in his conference, but the entire nation, can pinpoint why many are favoring Carolina to be a threat this season.

Last season, Howell and the UNC football team balled out on offense, ranking ninth in the country with 41.7 points scored per game. Howell led the ACC in passing touchdowns with 30, and finished fourth in the NCAA in passing yards with 3,586. Despite wide receiver duo Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome getting drafted, you can expect Josh Downs, Beau Corrales, and Khafre Brown to keep up the pace.

The biggest question mark for the UNC football program this season will be the same as the last two seasons, which is their defense. Last season, the team gave up an average of 29.4 points per game, which ranked 65th out of 128 qualifying teams in the nation. Not only that, but defensive leader Chazz Surratt will now be lacing up for the Minnesota Vikings. However, even with the recent inconsistent defensive performances, it’s another year in the same defensive-minded scheme with defensive anchor Storm Duck, who is expected to return after missing 10 games last year.

A positive for the Tar Heels is their favorable schedule with games against the Hurricanes, Seminoles, Cavaliers all taking place at home. Once again, their toughest game will be against Notre Dame, which is on the road. However, if they can get that win, there’s a shot at an undefeated season. An undefeated season, plus winning the ACC championship, could guarantee a ticket for Carolina to make the College Football Playoff.

This season could be one for the history books, and could end with Tar Heels around the nation hugging and singing the famous words, “I’m a Tar-Heel born, I’m a Tar-Heel bred, and when I die I’m a Tar-Heel dead.”

Be sure to keep up with Keeping It Heel for all the latest surrounding the UNC football program.