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UNC football unranked in AP preseason poll; faces challenging schedule

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 18, 2026, 3:08 AM

Last updated Aug 18, 2026

UNC football unranked in AP preseason poll; faces challenging schedule

Summary

North Carolina enters the 2026 college football season unranked in the AP Top 25, following a disappointing 4-8 record last season. Despite this, seven of their upcoming opponents received votes in the preseason poll, including No. 4 Notre Dame and No. 7 Miami. UNC’s challenging slate kicks off on August 29 against TCU in Dublin, followed by home games against East Tennessee State and a matchup versus Clemson. The success of the Tar Heels will be tested against these ranked teams and others as they aim to prove their competitiveness and return to the Top 25.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•UNC not ranked in the 2026 preseason AP Top 25.
•Seven upcoming opponents received AP votes, led by Notre Dame and Miami.
•Season opener on August 29 against TCU in Dublin.
•UNC's schedule includes back-to-back games against Clemson and Notre Dame.
•Clemson enters season unranked for the first time since 2011.

Latest Updates

3:08 AMYahoo Sports — UNC Football Unranked in Preseason AP Top 25, Five Opponents in Top 30

What they're saying

"
UNC is absent from the 2026 preseason AP Top 25, but seven teams on the Tar Heels' schedule received votes, led by No. 4 Notre Dame, No. 7 Miami and No. 24 Louisville.
— Yahoo Sports

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