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)

 

Related Stories
‹
Shaquille O'Neal Featured Among 2026 Performers for Chapel Thrill Concert Series
UNC has announced its setlist for the 2026 Chapel Thrill Concert Series. The series is part of the school’s “Chapel Thrill Game Day,” which debuted in 2025. The concerts are the centerpiece of the festivities, with the stage located on Polk Place in front of Wilson Library in the heart of the UNC campus. Each […]
The Morning News: Expanding the Arts, Chatham Transit, Michael Lombardi
In today's news: the Eno Arts Mill is set to reopen, UNC moves to expand the Ackland Art Museum, and Michael Lombardi speaks out.
UNC Football Under Microscope Again With Lombardi's Administrative Leave – Stroman On Sports (July 31, 2026)
The Hill's Deborah Stroman and Brighton McConnell chat on Friday, July 31, about UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi landing on administrative leave amid a university-led investigation.
The Morning News: UNC Degree Cuts, Vinfast, Michael Lombardi
In today's news: UNC prepares to cut four degree programs, and Bill Belichick and Lee Roberts weigh in on the Michael Lombardi situation.
Amid Cloud of Uncertainty, UNC Football Opens 2026 Fall Training Camp
UNC took the field in Chapel Hill Thursday morning to open its fall training camp. Despite prognostications of doom and a gamut of negative press, it appears the Tar Heels will, in fact, play football in 2026. The bizarre headlines trickling out of the Kenan Football Center had no doubt cast a pall over things: […]
Belichick Mum on Michael Lombardi Situation, While UNC Chancellor Vows Investigation Will 'Fix It'
UNC head coach Bill Belichick addressed the media at the Kenan Football Center as the Tar Heels opened their fall training camp Thursday morning. It was Belichick’s first public appearance since the university announced Monday that general manager Michael Lombardi was being put on paid administrative leave for what is being reported as an HR […]
Chansky's Notebook: Needs to Go...Now
With Michael Lombardi put onto administrative leave, UNC Athletics Director Steve Newmark has a tough, but clear, decision to make.
The Morning News: Expanding the Ackland, Envisioning Carolina North
In today's news: UNC officials tour the future Carolina North site - and move forward on a big expansion of the Ackland Art Museum.
The Morning News: Rani Dasi, UNC Football, and the Red Cross
In today's news: Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board member Rani Dasi is appointed to fill a seat on the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Chansky's Notebook: Chicanery
News of Mike Lombardi being put on administrative leave is just another embarrassment for this current UNC football regime.
›