With the conclusion of the College Football National Championship last night, college football analysts renew their yearly tradition of putting out rankings for next season.
UNC is coming off a historic 11-3 season. The Tar Heels finished the 2015 season ranked 15 in the AP Poll, their highest finish since 1997.
This year the Tar Heels graduated key starters Marquise Williams, Jeff Shoettmer, Landon Turner and Quinshad Davis.
Here’s where the experts have the Tar Heels ranked next season in the way too early top 25s.
USA Today
UNC: Not ranked
Other ACC Schools: Clemson (1), Florida State (5), Miami (21), Louisville (23)
ESPN
UNC: 17
Other ACC Schools: Clemson (1), Florida State (6), Louisville (24)
CBS Sports
UNC: Not ranked
Other ACC Schools: Clemson (1), Florida State (12), Miami (13), Louisville (23)
Bleacher Report
UNC: 19
Other ACC Schools: Clemson (1), Florida State (14), Louisville (15)
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