5 reasons to be optimistic about UNC football. And 5 reasons to worry. Posted Aug 28, 2018 North Carolina’s football season starts Saturday. The Tar Heels have a lot to prove after finishing with a 3-9 record last year. Hobbled by injuries last season, they hope to get back to their winning ways after finishing 11-3 and 8-5 in 2015 and 2016. Here are five reasons to be optimistic UNC will be among the top teams in the ACC Coastal Division and five reasons to be pessimistic: (Durham Herald-Sun)