UNC rises in USA TODAY Sports' Week Four CFB re-rank despite bye week

After a much-needed bye week to assess their up-and-down start to 2026, the North Carolina Tar Heels play arguably their toughest football game this fall on Saturday.

UNC welcomes Notre Dame, a team many expect to win the National Championship, for a 12 p.m. kickoff. If North Carolina beat Clemson on the 19th, there's a chance Saturday's game is in primetime, with a pregame College GameDay visit in store.

Despite not playing last weekend, the Tar Heels moved up in USA TODAY Sports' re-rank of all 138 FBS teams, climbing three spots to 53rd.

UNC finds itself one spot behind Kentucky, plus one slot ahead of Illinois. Notre Dame (4-0) is ranked third, behind Georgia (first) and Texas.

North Carolina's defense is amongst the country's top units. Xavier Lewis leads a deep rotation in the trenches, while Peyton Seelmann and Derek McDonald are tackling machines at linebacker. Kaleb Cost is the Tar Heels' veteran leader in their secondary, while Greg Smith's emergence is crucial.

There's a new No. 1 at the top of the NCAA Re-Rank 1-138 after the results of Week 4 in college football with SEC teams trading spots. https://t.co/mAX00QxMtO

— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) September 28, 2026

UNC's offense has playmakers, particularly in the running back room. Benjamin Hall nearly single-handedly anchored North Carolina in its loss at Clemson, totaling 145 yards and a touchdown. Demon June has four rushing scores. Jelani Thurman gives the Tar Heels a big-play tight end reminiscent of Eric Ebron.

UNC needs consistent quarterback play if it wants the slightest chance at winning Saturday. Billy Edwards looked solid in Weeks One and Two, but struggled at the Tigers.

North Carolina already had one upset under its belt this season. Can the Tar Heels shock the college football world again?

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC rises in USA TODAY Sports' Week Four CFB re-rank despite bye week