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UNC Football: The curse of the Preseason AP Poll?

By Nick Delahanty

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches his team warm up before the start of the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Mack Brown of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches his team warm up before the start of the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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Over the years, being ranked among the Preseason AP Top 25 typically hasn’t been a good thing for the UNC football program.

College football programs across the country aim to be regarded as a top-25 team heading into a new season. With a new season and high expectations, programs look to make their case to be regarded as a team that has College Football Playoff potential.

However, for the UNC football program, being ranked among the Preseason AP Top 25 hasn’t led to tremendous results.

For the 21st time in program history, the UNC football program will begin the season ranked in the annual AP Poll. The Tar Heels have struggled to meet preseason expectations, as 14 of the previous 20 teams that began the season ranked ended it unranked.

Here’s a look at the data:

  • 2021
    • Preseason Rank: No. 10
    • Final Record: 6-7 (Unranked)
  • 2020
    • Preseason Rank: No. 18
    • Final Record: 8-4 (No. 18)
  • 2016
    • Preseason Rank: No. 22
    • Final Record: 8-5 (Unranked)
  • 2014
    • Preseason Rank: No. 23
    • Final Record: 6-7 (Unranked)
  • 2010
    • Preseason Rank: No. 18
    • Final Record: 8-5 (Unranked)
  • 2009
    • Preseason Rank: No. 19
    • Final Record: 8-5 (Unranked)
  • 1998
    • Preseason Rank: No. 12
    • Final Record: 7-5 (Unranked)
  • 1997
    • Preseason Rank: No. 7
    • Final Record: 11-1 (No. 6)
  • 1995
    • Preseason Rank: No. 20
    • Final Record: 7-5 (Unranked)
  • 1994
    • Preseason Rank: No. 19
    • Final Record: 8-4 (Unranked)
  • 1993
    • Preseason Rank: No. 20
    • Final Record: 11-3 (No. 19)
  • 1983
    • Preseason Rank: No. 11
    • Final Record: 8-4 (Unranked)
  • 1982
    • Preseason Rank: No. 5
    • Final Record: 8-4 (No. 18)
  • 1981
    • Preseason Rank: No. 12
    • Final Record: 10-2 (No. 9)
  • 1980
    • Preseason Rank: No. 14
    • Final Record: 11-1 (No. 10)
  • 1978
    • Preseason Rank: No. 19
    • Final Record: 5-6 (Unranked)
  • 1973
    • Preseason Rank: No. 19
    • Final Record: 4-7 (Unranked)
  • 1959
    • Preseason Rank: No. 12
    • Final Record: 5-5 (Unranked)
  • 1958
    • Preseason Rank: No. 10
    • Final Record: 5-5 (Unranked)
  • 1950
    • Preseason Rank: No. 20
    • Final Record: 3-5-2 (Unranked)

Although there have been some exceptions, the Preseason AP Poll rankings have served as somewhat of a curse for the UNC football program. In the years where the program has had lofty expectations, the majority of the teams couldn’t live up to the hype, as North Carolina hopes that they can start the process of re-writing this narrative by living up to the expectations that surround the 2023 squad.

Next. Kobe Paysour tabbed as potential breakout star. dark

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