The UNC football program had its second bye week of the season this past week and despite not being on the field, they benefitted from other results.
Not only did the Tar Heels extend the lead in the ACC Coastal division on some teams but they also moved up in the polls. In the USA TODAY AFCA Coaches Poll released on Sunday, the Tar Heels climbed one spot from No. 22 to No. 21 overall. It’s the highest ranking for the Tar Heels since the preseason 2021 poll.
UNC is one of five teams ranked in the updated poll joining Clemson, Wake Forest, Syracuse and N.C. State.
A look at the full USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports:
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Change |
| 1 | Georgia | 7-0 | 1,550 (43) | – |
| 2 | Ohio State | 7-0 | 1,516 (17) | – |
| 3 | Tennessee | 7-0 | 1,424 (2) | +1 |
| 4 | Michigan | 7-0 | 1,407 (1) | -1 |
| 5 | Clemson | 8-0 | 1,325 | – |
| 6 | Alabama | 7-1 | 1,264 | – |
| 7 | Texas Christian | 7-0 | 1,184 | +1 |
| 8 | Oregon | 6-1 | 1,125 | +1 |
| 9 | Oklahoma State | 6-1 | 1,031 | +2 |
| 10 | Wake Forest | 6-1 | 949 | +3 |
| 11 | Southern California | 6-1 | 941 | +1 |
| 12 | Ole Miss | 7-1 | 816 | -5 |
| 13 | Penn State | 6-1 | 789 | +3 |
| 14 | Utah | 5-2 | 782 | +1 |
| 15 | UCLA | 6-1 | 744 | -5 |
| 16 | Syracuse | 6-1 | 554 | -2 |
| 17 | Kentucky | 5-2 | 473 | +1 |
| 18 | Illinois | 6-1 | 469 | +2 |
| 19 | Cincinnati | 6-1 | 441 | – |
| 20 | LSU | 6-2 | 350 | +6 |
| 21 | North Carolina | 5-2 | 347 | +1 |
| 22 | Kansas State | 6-1 | 261 | -5 |
| 23 | North Carolina State | 5-2 | 259 | – |
| 24 | Tulane | 5-2 | 206 | +1 |
| 25 | South Carolina | 5-2 | 87 | +4 |
Schools Dropped Out
Others Receiving Votes
Texas 48; Liberty 42; Maryland 24; Washington 22; Oregon State 21; Baylor 6; Texas-San Antonio 4; Mississippi State 4; Troy 3; Arkansas 3; Coastal Carolina 2; Central Florida 1; Boise State 1.