The UNC football team is predicted to finish third in the ACC this season, according to the annual preseason poll released by the league Tuesday morning. The poll looks slightly different from years past, as the Coastal and Atlantic Divisions have been dissolved. Now, the top two finishers overall will qualify for the ACC Championship Game. And if this year’s poll bears out, the Tar Heels would just be on the outside looking in.

Defending champion Clemson was once again picked to top the league with 103 first-place votes, though the poll was far from unanimous. Florida State comes in second with 67 first-place votes. The Seminoles are viewed as a likely Top 10 team this season.

Next are the Tar Heels, who received five first-place votes. NC State follows up in fourth with a single first-place vote. Miami, Duke, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Wake Forest and Syracuse round out the top 10 vote-getters.

There is excitement aplenty surrounding the Carolina entering 2023. Quarterback Drake Maye is a Heisman hopeful, and the Tar Heels are embarking on a challenging schedule which includes Clemson, NC State and South Carolina. UNC’s fall practice season begins on Wednesday morning, with the opener against the Gamecocks in Charlotte scheduled for September 2 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. The game will be featured on ESPN’s College GameDay.

 

Featured image via The News & Observer

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