Spotlight UNC football won't be as bad as you think, and other bold predictions for 2026 USA Today Network Aug 26, 2026 Aug 26, 2026 Updated 1 hr ago 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save There’s not a lot of positive buzz around UNC football as it enters Year 2 under coach Bill Belichick. kAmp7E6C 3C:?8:?8 :? f_ A=2J6CD 29625 @7 2 c\g 563FE D62D@?[ E96 %2C w66=D 6?E6C E96 a_ae D62D@? H:E9 e_ ?6H4@>6CD[ :?4=F5:?8 c_ 7C6D9>6?] x? E96 AC6D62D@? prr >65:2 A@==[ &}r H2D A:4<65 E@ 7:?:D9 `dE9 :? E96 `f\E62> =628F6] k^AmkAm(:56 C646:G6C y@C52? $9:AA 2?5 5676?D:G6 =:?6>2? |6=<2CE p3@F y2@F56[ E96 C6:8?:?8 prr D24<D =6256C[ 2C6 2>@?8 E96 <6J C6EFC?6CD 9@A:?8 E@ =625 2 EFC?2C@F?5 7@C E96 %2C w66=D] k^Am kAm~AE:?8 282:?DE A=2J:?8 :E D276[ 96C6 2C6 E9C66 3@=5 AC65:4E:@?D 7@C E96 %2C w66=D 367@C6 E96J @A6? E96 a_ae D=2E6 282:?DE %r& :? xC6=2?5] k^Am People are also reading… UTV wreck in McDowell County injures two Old Fort firefighters A blood moon is rising in western North Carolina. Here's when you should look up Erasing Carolinas history? Signs removed at NC, SC national parks under Trump order Two Marion men face drug charges following narcotics search 14 new businesses opened in Marion in past year, according to report J. Hartman’s Restaurant in Marion serving lunch again for first time since Helene flooding Somewhere between Western Sizzlin and Michelin star: Marion has a new steakhouse. 6 Carolina Panthers players who improved their stock in preseason win over Jaguars New RV dealership opens in McDowell County; Old Fort RV Park reopens Three returning trustees for McDowell Technical Community College sworn in New Marion YMCA director looks forward to meeting the needs of local community 5 things to know about McDowell County's possible data center moratorium Newland NC man charged in crash that killed 2 college cyclists in Tennessee, injured 7 others Fan-favorite QB already ruled out of Panthers' preseason finale vs. Texans Marion man charged with drug possession, resisting an officer kAmkDEC@?8m&}r 7@@E32== H:== 36 3@H= 6=:8:3=6 H:E9 q:== q6=:49:4< k^DEC@?8mk^AmkAmp7E6C 2== @7 E96 “bbC5 E62>” E2=< :? a_ad[ 3@H= 6=:8:3:=:EJ >:89E ?@E 2AA62C E@ 36 2 3@=5 AC65:4E:@? 7@C &}r :? a_ae] qFE 8:G6? 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AC@5F4E:@? 7C@> CF??:?8 324<D q6?;2>:? w2== 2?5 s6>@? yF?6 F?56C !6EC:?@] k^Am kAm&$p %~sp* }6EH@C< G:2 #6FE6CD r@??64Ek^Am 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Most Popular ACC football power poll: Miami is the heavy favorite heading into 2026 The preseason installment of this year's ACC football power poll is here, and Miami is the heavy favorite while SMU, Louisville, Clemson and V… Pipe down, SEC: Big Ten has a strength-of-schedule argument now Pipe down, SEC snobs. This whole strength-of-schedule thing is way overblown. Like many things of the not-so-distant past, the argument has be… Dave Doeren confident in NC State as Wolfpack open season Saturday Eight days before N.C. 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