The University of North Carolina football team earning an Associated Press Top 25 preseason ranking hasn’t often been an indicator of actual success on the field once the season kicks off.
The Tar Heels have been picked 21st in this year’s AP preseason poll, released Monday — the 21st time the program has been inside the Associate Press rankings at the start of the year. But the Heels have only appeared in the final AP poll in seven of those seasons (moving up or holding steady in six instances).
UNC started the 2021 campaign 10th but failed to make the last AP poll of the year. The 2020 Tar Heels started and ended at No. 18. The previous five times Carolina started in the AP rankings – in 2016, 2014, 2010, 2009 and 1998, respectively, – it failed to end inside the long-standing media poll.
One of UNC’s best preseason rankings came prior to the 1997 season, when the Heels were picked seventh in the nation by AP. That team, Mack Brown’s last before taking the Texas Longhorns job, finished 11-1 overall and won the Gator Bowl to earn a No. 6 final AP standing. The only loss came to Florida State.
The 1982 team, coached by Dick Crum, started the year fifth but ended up 18th.
The Associated Press began issuing Division I/FBS college football rankings in 1936. The first preseason poll came in 1950.
Overall, North Carolina teams have finished 17 different seasons inside the AP rankings, with the best final ranking (third) coming after the 1948 campaign. UNC spent its only week in program history as the Associated Press’ No. 1-ranked team during October of ’48.
UNC When It Has Started The Season In AP Rankings
(Year – Preseason rank – Final rank)
| 2023 Preseason 21st – Final TBD |
| 2021 Preseason 10th – Final NONE |
| 2020 Preseason 18th – Final 18th |
| 2016 Preseason 22nd – Final NONE |
| 2014 Preseason 23rd – Final NONE |
| 2010 Preseason 18th – Final NONE |
| 2009 Preseason 21st – Final NONE |
| 1998 Preseason 12th – Final NONE |
| 1997 Preseason 7th – Final 6th |
| 1995 Preseason 20th – Final NONE |
| 1994 Preseason 19th – Final 19th |
| 1993 Preseason 20th – Final 19th |
| 1983 Preseason 11th – Final NONE |
| 1982 Preseason 5th – Final 18th |
| 1981 Preseason 12th – Final 9th |
| 1980 Preseason 14th – Final 10th |
| 1978 Preseason 19th – Final NONE |
| 1973 Preseason 19th – Final NONE |
| 1959 Preseason 19th – Final NONE |
| 1958 Preseason 10th – Final NONE |
| 1950 Preseason 20th – Final NONE |
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