The Associated Press has released their preseason top 25 rankings, and the Tar Heels managed to make the cut at No. 21. They are one of three ACC teams to make it into the top 25 alongside Florida State and Clemson.
After last season, the Tar Heels and former offensive coordinator Phil Longo parted ways and Chip Lindsey stepped in to take his place. Despite losing a couple of key offensive weapons, Lindsey will attempt to elevate Drake Maye’s game even further and potentially throw him into the Heisman conversation. On the other side of the ball, defensive coordinator Gene Chizik is doing everything he can to improve a defense that was one of the worst in the country last season in a few key metrics, with sacks being one of the more egregious numbers.