In their fourth year under head coach Carl Snavely, the Tar Heels compiled an 8–2–1 record (4–0–1 against Southern Conference opponents), won the conference title, and outscored opponents by a total of 271 to 129.
They ranked ninth in the final AP Poll and were invited to the school's first bowl game, the 1947 Sugar Bowl, which they lost to Georgia.
[1] The Tar Heels ranked seventh nationally in rushing with an average of 234.1 yards per game.
[3] Justice was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1961.
[5] The team played its home games at Kenan Memorial Stadium.