UNC Football Ranked No. 7 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 Poll for 2021 Posted Jan 12, 2021 Following Alabama’s win over Ohio State in Monday's college football national championship game, ESPN wasted no time publishing its "Way-Too-Early" top 25 rankings for 2021 - a list that ranked UNC No. 7 heading into next season. The Tar Heels will return 21 of 22 starters from this year’s Orange Bowl in 2021, including quarterback Sam Howell. (Chapelboro.com)