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North Carolina might not be rising fast enough to be playoff contender

Is it Clemson or bust for the ACC?

Playoff selection committee chair Jeff Long said No. 17 North Carolina is “emerging,” but the committee is not looking favorably at the Tar Heels. They sit behind several two-loss teams even as they play their best football of the season.

UNC jumped six spots -- the biggest leap in the latest College Football Playoff rankings -- but it might not be positioned high enough to earn a playoff bid if it wins the Coastal and upsets No. 1 Clemson in the ACC championship Dec. 5.

A schedule that includes two FCS opponents and a loss to 3-7 South Carolina has the committee unconvinced the Heels are better than two-loss teams Stanford, Michigan, Utah, Florida State and LSU.