2017 Season: 3-9 (1-7 ACC)
Head Coach: Larry Fedora (7th Season)
Following its worst season since 2006, North Carolina enters this season shaky thanks to both a young roster and the loss of thirteen players due to suspension by the NCAA. Less than a year removed from a cloud of potential academic fraud that surrounded the Tar Heel Men’s Basketball team, North Carolina is now dealing with violations again, this time for selling team-issued shoes. Three defensive ends, four offensive linemen, two receivers and potential starting quarterback Chazz Surratt were among those suspended.
The Tar Heels also struggled extensively last season with injuries, losing a total of 77 starts and 232 games due to injury. Some question marks remain about the durability and the health of the remaining 2018 squad.
The loss of their potential starting quarterback has given the Tar Heels some certainty at the position, as junior Nathan Elliot will begin the season for Carolina. While the great majority of the defense is returning, including eight of its top nine defensive linemen, the defense still gave up more than 400 yards of offense per game last season—over half of that being on the ground.
The Tar Heels’ schedule will not help them out this season, either, as three of their opponents are ranked in the top-25 in preseason polls. North Carolina does, however, benefit from another year of reprieve from taking on either No. 2 Clemson or No. 19 Florida State.
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