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The college football season officially begins Saturday, August 29, when North Carolina travels to Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, to face TCU in a Week 0 matchup scheduled for noon ET. Last year’s encounter ended badly for the Tar Heels, who fell 48-14 to the Horned Frogs in their season opener, contributing to UNC’s disappointing 4-8 finish. TCU fared considerably better, posting a 9-4 record and defeating USC 30-27 in the Alamo Bowl.
Head coach Bill Belichick’s first year in Chapel Hill yielded lackluster results, but the legendary six-time Super Bowl champion has made significant strides in his inaugural full recruiting cycle. North Carolina improved its 247Sports recruiting ranking from 35th to 17th, while also ranking 31st in overall team talent compared to TCU’s 40th standing. According to ESPN analyst Bill Connelly, the Tar Heels rank 103rd nationally in returning production, while the Horned Frogs sit 69th.
TCU faces notable personnel losses heading into the season. Former quarterback Josh Hoover, who threw for the third-most yards in school history between 2022-25, transferred to Indiana under champion coach Curt Cignetti. Wide receiver Eric McAlister, who led the team with 72 catches for 1,190 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, has also departed. Replacement quarterback Jaden Craig, a transfer from Harvard, must adjust to playing against Belichick’s defense after competing in FCS competition.
North Carolina counters with transfer quarterback Billy Edwards from Wisconsin, who started 11 games for Maryland in 2024 while completing 65 percent of his passes for 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Belichick’s offensive system and offseason coaching advantages position the Tar Heels favorably against a Horned Frogs squad managing significant turnover and experiencing less roster continuity.
International games present unique challenges for team focus and preparation, circumstances where superior coaching typically prevails. Taking North Carolina at plus-9 (-110) with additional exposure at the plus-275 moneyline represents value given Belichick’s proven ability to maximize roster talent and implement complex defensive schemes during an entire offseason.
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