All Tar Heels

UNC Football: Mack Brown's Tar Heels Drop Out of Top 25 Again

For the second time this season, the UNC football team doesn't have a ranking by its name.
Matt Giles|
UNC football head coach Mack Brown (Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports)

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North Carolina Tar Heels

Following the UNC football squad's 31-20 loss at unranked Clemson on Saturday, the Tar Heels (8-3, 4-3 ACC) fell out of the AP Top 25 Poll on Sunday. Previously, Mack Brown's team was ranked 22nd in the country.

Only two ACC programs remain in the top 25 this week: Louisville (10-1, 7-1 ACC) and Florida State (11-0, 8-0 ACC). That's the conference's lowest number of ranked teams in any week all season.

But it's worth pointing out that Louisville and Florida State are among the top 10: the Cardinals are ninth, the same as last week, and the Seminoles are fifth, down one notch this week despite remaining undefeated.

With 26 votes, UNC now sits fifth among "others receiving votes" — thus, one could say that the Tar Heels rank 30th in the country — one spot ahead of Clemson (20 votes).

The Tar Heels began the year 21st, peaked at 10th following their 6-0 start, and have been ranked every week except this one and three weeks ago after they fell in consecutive weeks at home against Virginia and on the road against Georgia Tech.

UNC football, looking to improve its bowl stock in the fifth season since Brown's return to Chapel Hill, now prepares for a trip to Raleigh to battle NC State (second among "others receiving votes") in the regular-season finale on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (ACCN).

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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