North Carolina lives up to expectations — especially its own

PITTSBURGH — For years, the flaws in North Carolina's football program were perceptible only upon closer inspection.

The foundation looked strong from a distance: UNC was composed of elite talent, especially when compared to many of its Atlantic Coast Conference peers, and had found in Larry Fedora a system-based coach potentially capable of unleashing the roster's full capabilities. During Fedora's first three seasons, however, the Tar Heels continued their tradition of winning in August but failing once the calendar turned to September.

The Tar Heels were built using the finest ingredients yet lacked the barest necessities. If championships were handed out on paper, UNC would be a dynasty. Some do more with less; the Tar Heels did less with more, considering the team's annual recruiting success.

At least you knew what to expect, which in a sport of utter unpredictability made that Tar Heels' annual descent from contender to pretender a soothing and familiar comfort.

"It was so frustrating for us, losing as much as we did, because we all knew what guys we had and the talent that we had," wide receiver Ryan Switzer said. "It was just a matter of us putting it together. We just couldn't figure it out."

This has been a season of miracles, of one Hail Mary after another, of a Gift Six and a Block Six, seven days apart, of underdogs — Temple, Memphis and Toledo — banging at the door reserved for college football's elite. Yet there may be nothing more shocking than this: UNC is finally reaching its potential.

"All I can tell you is this is a different football team," Fedora said Thursday night, after a 26-19 win against No. 24 Pittsburgh gave UNC the program's first seven-game winning streak since 1997.

"You've seen a different team from the beginning. We don't look at it like we're just now getting there. We've felt like that from the beginning of the season. That was our plan."

For the first time since the same year, UNC football is relevant in November. Next Saturday's matchup with rival Duke should decide the Coastal Division in the ACC, setting the winner on a course for the league championship game.

The offense is more balanced than in the recent past; the defense has improved exponentially under first-year coordinator Gene Chizik. Previously a collection of talent — with many players "too focused on themselves," running back Elijah Hood said — UNC is now, well, a team.

"UNC's always had the talent to do great things," said Hood. "This year, we've got the leadership together and the locker room in place. We've got all the players buying into one system and one coach and one thing. It's a true team mentality we've got going right now."

Asked to pinpoint a tide-turning moment, UNC players and coaches identify a specific date: Jan. 6, when the team gathered for its first meeting of the offseason. After years of falling short of their preseason goals, players spoke openly about what they felt was missing — with a lack of leadership and accountability a common theme. It was a clearing of the air for an entire program tired of its national reputation.

A different team emerged, even if a season-opening loss to South Carolina, a team since revealed as among the weakest in the Southeastern Conference, painted UNC in a familiar light. In the recent past, however, individual losses have snowballed: UNC lost four in a row before midseason last fall, and four of six to open the 2013 season. This year's team hasn't lost since.

"It's all about our players," Fedora said. "It's about the chemistry we have on this team. It's about the love we have for each other. It's the leadership on this team. That's why we're having the success we're having."

Rather than surprised by this year's success — a roster this talented never lacks for confidence — UNC has taken note of its lack of national respect. The absence of publicity is almost ironic: UNC couldn't avoid the spotlight when falling short of expectations, if only for negative reasons, but has been this season's quietest one-loss team on the major-conference level.

Part of that stems from the loss to South Carolina, along with the fact that just two of the ensuing victories have come against teams with a winning record. But that the Tar Heels have remained under the radar speaks to something greater: It'll take more than just wins in the regular season to reverse the image of UNC as a chronic underachiever.

"I don't necessarily look for it on blogs or anything, but I know it," said cornerback M.J. Stewart. "People don't believe in us. We're the only one-loss Power Five team that hasn't been talked about, that hasn't been recognized. We just use it as motivation. It just bothers me that people don't respect us."

Then again, as Stewart suggested, UNC's best may lie ahead. November begins with Duke, followed by reeling Miami (Fla.), mediocre Virginia Tech and unproven North Carolina State. Conceivably, UNC could head into the ACC title game with just one loss, perhaps not in line for the College Football Playoff but well within reach of a New Year's Six bowl appearance.

Just to be in this position in November marks significant and tangible improvement for a program long absent from the national conversation. Yet it's not entirely unexpected: UNC always had talent, after all, and has now found a way to harness its full potential.

"It's like a family, you know," said Stewart. "Now more than ever, it's a family."

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