We have reached the halfway point of the season, and unprecedented hype and expectation of preseason – a top ten ranking and a Heisman candidate – has given way to the nadir of reality. The Tar Heels are 3-3, losing all three games to teams they were favored to beat. Worse still, the opening stanza of the season was the easiest. Dates against Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Pitt, and a suddenly competent NC State remain.
Where did it all go wrong? Expectations after a truly inspirational performance while undermanned against Texas A&M in the Orange Bowl were off the mark.