ACC Football Spring Preview: Top 10 questions and storylines

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and head coach Dabo Swinney celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and head coach Dabo Swinney celebrate after defeating the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Clemson won 37-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels defeated the Hokies 30-27 in overtime at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels defeated the Hokies 30-27 in overtime at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Will North Carolina build on last year?

North Carolina will look to avoid what happened to Georgia Tech last year. The Tar Heels were the biggest surprise in the ACC last year after going undefeated in league play and advancing to play Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.

Larry Fedora looked like he finally figured it out and the hire of Gene Chizik to coach the defense proved to be a good decision after 2014’s unit let teams score at will on them.

The defense made strides but still needs to improve stopping the run and that’ll be difficult with a made over front seven. Look for Dajuan Drennon and Jalen Dalton to turn heads this spring as they embrace a bigger role.

Matching last year’s 11-3 record could prove difficult but I think new quarterback Mitch Trubisky could be a better option than Marquise Williams and Elijah Hood could be in line to challenge Cook for the rushing title in the ACC.

Next: Who is this year's North Carolina?