North Carolina football picked 15th in ACC media poll for 2026
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 9:43 PM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
North Carolina football faces low expectations as they were ranked 15th in the 2026 preseason ACC media poll. A total of 188 media members voted during the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, unveiling a stark decline from last season's eighth-place prediction. The Tar Heels struggled offensively in 2025, finishing with a scoring offense ranked 118th nationally, leading to the hiring of Bobby Petrino as the new offensive coordinator. UNC opens the season against TCU in Ireland on August 29. The ACC Football Championship Game will occur on December 5 in Charlotte.
- •North Carolina was picked 15th in the ACC preseason poll.
- •The team ranked outside the top 100 in six offensive categories in 2025.
- •Bobby Petrino was hired as the new offensive coordinator for UNC.
- •UNC opens against TCU in Ireland on August 29.
- •The ACC Championship Game is scheduled for December 5.
- 9:43 PMYahoo Sports — Where UNC football is projected to finish in ACC by the media
"North Carolina football faces low expectations after being picked 15th in the preseason ACC media poll for 2026.
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