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North Carolina Tar Heels: #15 in the latest Associated Press Poll

By John Woodcock

Nov 5, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) scores a touchdown on his forth quarter run against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-20. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) scores a touchdown on his forth quarter run against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-20. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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The North Carolina Tar Heels are working their way up the AP Poll. Could this make them a more attractive bowl opponent?

The North Carolina Tar Heels benefited from a turbulent weekend in the polls in order to move up top the number fifteen spot in the Associated Press poll. They also rose to number thirteen in the Coaches Poll. Appalachian State collected five votes in the Coaches Poll as it continues to be the favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference.

The Tar Heels moved up into the top fifteen for two reasons. One was the number of teams ahead of them that lost games this week. That would be the likes of Florida, Nebraska, and LSU among others. Baylor made a big fall after a blowout loss to TCU.

The second reason was that the Tar Heels turned in a more complete offensive performance. The offense had been hampered by the loss of some linemen, receiver Mack Hollins, and a banged up Elijah Hood. The Georgia Tech game showed that the team had adjusted. Hood is healthy and the Heels have rediscovered Bug Howard as a weapon at wide receiver. The result was a balanced offense with a real run threat for the first time in weeks. I’m sure Duke is thrilled.

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The Tar Heel defense gave up a large number of yards (over 500) but kept the score down. Tech had to settle for field goals and only gashed the Tar Heels with a couple of big plays. The defense returned the favor with two fumbles in the second half.

Larry Fedora and the Heels played the option right. They got in front and kept scoring all game long. As a result, the Yellow Jackets never got comfortable in their own gameplan. The last straw was the injury to sprinter and quarterback Justin Thomas.

The Tar Heels are now 7-2. They have Duke, The Citadel, and State left on their docket. Wins could keep the Heels in their good poll position which would in turn help their bowl position. They would require someone to knock off Virginia Tech in the coming weeks to get to the ACC Championship in Orlando.

11/6 AP Football Poll

Alabama Crimson Tide (60)

Michigan Wolverines (1)

Clemson Tigers

Washington Huskies

Louisville Cardinals

Ohio State Buckeyes

Wisconsin Badgers

Auburn Tigers

Oklahoma Sooners

Texas A&M Aggies

West Virginia Mountaineers

Penn State Nittany Lions

Utah Utes

Western Michigan Broncos

  • North Carolina Tar Heels

    • Colorado Buffaloes

    Oklahoma State Cowboys

    Virginia Tech Hokies

    LSU Tigers

    Florida State Seminoles

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    Nebraska Cornhuskers

    Florida Gators

    Washington State Cougars

    Boise State Broncos

    Baylor Bears

    Others receiving votes:

    USC 76, Arkansas 74, San Diego State 38, Troy 28, Houston 25, Tennessee 9, Tulsa 3, South Florida 3, Minnesota 2, Navy 2, Wyoming 2

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