Where CBS Sports ranks UNC football program in early top 25

The UNC football program moves up two spots in the CBS Sports’ early college football rankings after spring practices.

The 2023 college football season is still months away but the excitement is starting to build. With spring practices wrapped up, many publications are updating their early rankings for the upcoming season.

That includes CBS Sports.

North Carolina found itself ranked in most if not all of the early top 25 rankings following a 9-5 season and the return of quarterback Drake Maye. There’s optimism UNC can build on last year’s season despite losing four straight games to end the year. Most of that optimism is due to the quarterback.

Dennis Dodd updated his rankings on CBS Sports and has the Tar Heels at No. 18, which is up two spots:

Mack Brown knows he’s got a chance because he has a quarterback. The return of Drake Maye will make the Heels dangerous all season. A four-game losing streak to end the season hangs in the air. The defense was 128th in sacks. Keep that arm warm, Drake. Way-too-early ranking: 20

We fully expect the Tar Heels to be in the preseason polls when they are released later in the summer, and we could have a top-25 showdown in Week 1 when they face South Carolina.

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