Should UNC's Schedule Alter Expectations? - IC Daily | Inside Carolina | College Football

A recent article by Phil Steele highlight North Carolina's 2026 football schedule as the toughest in the nation based on the opponents 2025 results. Inside Carolina senior reporter Greg Barnes joins Tommy Ashley to discuss Steele's findings and the fact that upcoming season undoubtedly ramps up the competition level compared to last season that produced a 4-8 record for the Tar Heels.

TCU (in Ireland), Clemson, Notre Dame, Louisville, Virginia, Duke and NC State will be featured but Ashley and Barnes agree that it will be tough to gauge the true difficulty of the schedule until rosters are finalized and the play begins on the field.

The conversation then shifts to expectations for the team and the coaching staff. Greg argues that while a 6-6 record would show progress from last year's 4-8, it may not be enough to satisfy a fan base that is paying top dollar for its coaching staff, including a head coach with a $10 million salary. Tommy emphasizes the importance of beating rivals, particularly NC State, and poses the question of whether a 6-6 season that includes a win over NC State would be enough to appease fans. They also discuss how expectations at elite programs like Ohio State or North Carolina basketball do not change based on schedule difficulty—fans expect excellence regardless.

Both agree that while beating rivals is important, the ultimate goal should be sustained success and national relevance. The discussion concludes with the acknowledgment that the 2026 season will be a major test for the program, and that fan expectations will be a hot topic throughout the year, especially given the challenging schedule and the high-profile nature of the coaching staff.

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