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Ranking the best college football programs in North Carolina

By Andrew Miller

Nov 10, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils cornerback Bryon Fields (14) breaks up a pass intended for North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Austin Proehl (7) in the end zone in the first half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils cornerback Bryon Fields (14) breaks up a pass intended for North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Austin Proehl (7) in the end zone in the first half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Kyle Kearns (8) throws during the third quarter of the Military Bowl against the Temple Owls at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated Temple Owls 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Kyle Kearns (8) throws during the third quarter of the Military Bowl against the Temple Owls at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated Temple Owls 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

2016 record: 7-6 (3-5 ACC)
Location: Winston Salem, N.C.

This is a tough one. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons put together a solid campaign in 2016. They finished with a winning record and won their bowl game for the first time since 2008. Moreover, the Deacs posted a better record than both Duke and East Carolina.

Yet, you still have to consider the fact that they were possibly the worst program in the state between the years 2009-2015. And with the rapid improvement of Charlotte and the consistency of ECU, Duke, and UNC in recent years, Wake Forest seems like the sixth best program when looking at the complete picture.

Hopefully Wake continues the momentum from defeating Temple’s former head coach Matt Rhule in his final game with the Owls before taking the helm at Baylor in Waco, TX. We’ll also get a good idea of how they can fare against not just one of the best programs in NC, but one of the best Group of Five teams in 2017 when they face the Appalachian State Mountaineers on Sep. 23. Wake has a chance to enter that matchup undefeated with three winnable contests agianst Presbyterian, Boston College, and Utah State.

Related Story: ACC Football: Most important non-conference games in 2017

The Demon Deacons are often overlooked in North Carolina because they do not have the pedigree of NC State, Duke, or UNC in the ACC or the consistency and fan base of ECU. Moreover, App State has a firm hold on the title of best program in the western part of the state. Yet, another season or two with a winning record would likely move them into the top half of these rankings.

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