Don’t look now, but the North Carolina Tar Heels are playing their best football of the Bill Belichick era so far.
A week after upsetting Pitt on the road for Belichick’s first win over a ranked team, the Tar Heels went into Durham and beat Duke to capture the Victory Bell. North Carolina is now 4-2 on the year with a loss at Clemson and a home loss to Notre Dame. But they are 2-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play early on as they continue to chase bowl eligibility.
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Following Saturday’s win and the slate of games this weekend, the Tar Heels continue to earn votes in the latest 2026-27 US LBM Coaches Poll released on Sunday. Last week, UNC received one vote, but this week they are now up to five votes.
Arizona 141; Oklahoma State 87; James Madison 80; Auburn 55; Mississippi State 32; Nebraska 19; Oregon State 17; New Mexico 16; UTSA 13; Michigan 10; North Dakota State 8; Wisconsin 7; Duke 7; North Carolina 5; Pittsburgh 4; Air Force 3; North Texas 1;
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarter back Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarter back Billy Edwards Jr. (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) runs the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) catches the ball in the end zone for a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils saftey Patrick Smith-Young (2) tackles North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarter back Billy Edwards Jr. (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) celebrates against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Shamar Easter (84) runs the ball during the third quarter against he Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Shamar Easter (84) runs the ball during the third quarter against Duke Blue Devils linebacker Bradley Gompers (24) and Duke Blue Devils saftey Patrick Smith-Young (2) at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the fourth quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from UNC football’s win over Duke on Saturday
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) scores a touchdown against Duke Blue Devils saftey Che Ojarikre (9) during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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UNC earns votes in latest 2026-27 US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 7
Oct 17, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; A North Carolina Tar Heels helmet at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images
(Zachary Taft, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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