For UNC, all eyes are once again on Bill Belichick as he begins his second season in charge of the Tar Heels. After a disappointing 4-8 record in 2025, Belichick has overseen a massive roster overhaul, with 60 newcomers joining the program, including 40 freshmen. The Tar Heels also brought in Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator after an offense that ranked near the bottom of college football last season. Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, meanwhile, is currently on medical leave.

TCU arrives in Dublin with more stability after back-to-back nine-win seasons. The Horned Frogs are led offensively by transfer quarterback Jaden Craig, who arrives after an outstanding 2025 season at Harvard in which he set school records for completions, passing touchdowns and passing yards. The matchup therefore represents an important early test for both programs.

2026 College Football: Which city is hosting UNC vs TCU today?

Dublin, Ireland, is hosting UNC vs. TCU today as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The game will officially open the 2026 college football season and marks the first international game in North Carolina football history.

Ireland has become an established destination for college football’s opening week. The event has also generated significant interest among American fans, making Dublin one of the most recognizable international destinations for college football.

This year’s matchup is particularly attractive because of Belichick’s presence. The legendary former NFL head coach has extensive experience coaching international games, but this will be a unique chapter as he leads the Tar Heels in an international college football opener.

Which stadium is hosting UNC vs TCU today?

The UNC vs TCU college football game in Dublin will be played at Aviva Stadium. The stadium, located in Dublin, Ireland, has a capacity of approximately 47,000 fans and has become a regular home for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

For UNC, it is an opportunity to begin the Belichick era’s second chapter with a major international victory. For TCU, it is a chance to start the season with momentum after consecutive nine-win campaigns. Either way, Dublin will provide a spectacular setting for the opening game of the 2026 college football season.

The Chapel Bill era couldn’t have started much worse. Well, not entirely. North Carolina’s opening drive was a masterclass from Belichick’s side. But that was it. What followed was a bloodbath. It got ugly really fast. In the blink of an eye, the game was out of reach.

TCU dismantled UNC in one of the most anticipated matchups of college football’s kickoff week. Now, it’s time for Belichick and the Tar Heels to shuffle and deal again. Belichick is being paid a $10 million salary by the program in Chapel Hill, as reported by USA Today and Go Heels. Dykes doesn’t make as much with the Horned Frogs, though his deal isn’t too shabby, either.

How much does Dykes earn per year?

According to USA Today, Texas Christian University handed a total payment of $5,008,414 million to Sonny Dykes for the 2024 NCAA season. While no details have emerged of Dykes’ salary for the 2025 campaign, it’s expected to be around that neighborhood. It must be taken into account potential bonuses being paid to Dykes as TCU won a bowl game last season.

What’s next?

While this was a big statement to kick off the college football season, Dykes and TCU know it’s only the beginning. The Horned Frogs must maintain their pace, as the schedule won’t get any easier. They’ll host the Abilene Christian Wildcats (an FCS program) on September 13. That will be TCU’s only real breather before facing SMU, Arizona State, Colorado, and Kansas State in consecutive weeks.

As for Belichick and North Carolina, the pressure has only mounted in Chapel Hill. The season is far from over, but the rough loss at Kenan Stadium in Week 1 has done them little favors. Now, they must turn the tide.

Up next, the Tar Heels will face some inferior opponents (at least on paper) in Charlotte, Richmond, and UCF. Belichick and company better hope to go undefeated in that stretch, because the real danger will lie immediately afterwards. In week 5, North Carolina will host Clemson to start off the ACC schedule.

When North Carolina scored on that first drive against TCU, everybody quickly jumped to say Bill Belichick worked his magic. However, what followed after was a complete beatdown. Naturally, fans voiced their reactions to the game on social media.

From “Shoulda stayed dating gold diggers” from user BetOnline_ag to “Bill Belichick trying to coach when he doesn’t have Tom Brady to carry him” by user Grant, people didn’t give Belichick any slack. After all, they lost 48-14 and they were never close to make it a tough game for the opposition.

Other accounts pointed out that Belichick is 4-14 in his last 18 games as a head coach. User Dylan Holt posted a viral scene from the movie ‘Oppenheimer’ stating “Bill Belichick realizing he’s not in the AFC East anymore.”

It was a really bad outing for Belichick’s team

Not only was North Carolina the home team, but many celebrities were in attendance to watch Bellichick’s debut. However, the team was outplayed in every single category.

UNC had 222 total yards, while TCU racked up more than double (542). The Tar Heels had 4.5 yards per play while the Horned Frogs averaged 7.5 in that same category. It was a mismatch in every sense. Two key stats that also are very telling were the first downs and the 3rd down efficiency.

TCU had 29 first downs to UNC’s 10. However, the third downs were even worse, as Bellichick’s team were 1/10 and TCU was 7/12. That’s so uncharacteristic of Bellichick, whose biggest strength was probably situational football and defense.

What’s next for North Carolina?

Bill Belichick and his team will travel as they visit Charlotte next week. Then, Chapel Hill will open the doors once again as they host Richmond. A tough test lies ahead as they visit UCF and start October hosting four-ranked Clemson.

As for now, Clemson is the only ranked team they will face all season. Even if so, the fact of the matter is that the first game is not inspiring much for this team. If Bellichick can’t right the wrongs, it will be a very long, scrutinized season for UNC.

Sonny Dykes’ squad left Chapel Hill with a resounding 48–14 victory, setting the tone for what they hope will be a dominant regular season campaign. For UNC, the disappointment was palpable once the final whistle blew.

In a visiting locker room buzzing with excitement after the resounding win, emotions were running high — and the postgame comments reflected it. Bud Clark, the team’s safety and defensive captain, delivered a bold message to Belichick, making a pointed reference to his current partner.

“Belichick gotta call for his girlfriend,” he said per Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post.

A tough debut for UNC

The highly anticipated debut of the North Carolina Tar Heels football season ended in a stunning and lopsided defeat, as they fell to the TCU Horned Frogs, 48-14, on Monday night.

The game, which marked the first for new head coach Bill Belichick, started promisingly for the Tar Heels, who scored on their opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. However, it was all TCU from there. The Horned Frogs went on a 41-0 scoring run, dominating the game on both sides of the ball.

TCU outgained UNC 542-222 in total yards, including a significant 258-50 advantage on the ground. The loss, which spoiled the debut of the legendary head coach, served as a harsh wake-up call for the Tar Heels as they begin their 2025 campaign.

What’s next for North Carolina?

With the main goal of quickly bouncing back from a disappointing start to the College Football season, these are the upcoming games on UNC’s schedule:

• @ Charlotte, September 6
• vs Richmond, September 13
• @ UCF, September 20
• vs Clemson, October 4
• @ California, October 17

The first win of the season for the Horned Frogs was against Colorado 38-13 in what was a relatively easy game, while their first win against a rival conference (Big 12) was against the Oklahoma Sooners 38-31.

As of November 26, 2022 the Horned Frogs’ record was perfect with 12 wins, but on December 3 they lost the Big 12 Championship Game 28-31 to No. 10 Kansas State.

How many football national championships do the TCU Horned Frogs have?

The Horned Frogs football team has 3 national titles, they won the title for the first time in 1935 and another in 1938. While their most recent national title was in 2010 when they were selected as the national champion by the Congrove Computer Rankings (unclaimed).

Although the Horned Frogs have few national titles, they do hold 18 conference titles, most of those titles won in the 20th century and only seven during the 21st century.

This is the first time the Horned Frogs have played under the new CFP format which started in 2014, they won a conference title the year the CFP started but that was not enough to get them selected.

The Bulldogs were lethal during the regular season, they used the same strategy as last season, and after the conference championship it was already obvious that the Bulldogs were big favorites for the CFP.

The Horned Frogs already know what it’s like to win a Natty, but they haven’t yet won a big title under the new CFP format. As underdogs, Horned Frogs have surprise on their side.

Georgia vs TCU: Date

Georgia and TCU play for the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 9 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The Bulldogs have to be careful with the Horned Frogs, the big favorites can’t be confident that the underdogs don’t have the strength to win this game.

Georgia vs TCU: Time by state in the US

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

TV Channel in the US to watch Georgia vs TCU at the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship

This game for the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship, Georgia and TCU at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday, January 9, will be broadcast in the US by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is ESPN.

The Bulldogs are the defending champions and have the deadliest offensive line to win this game, they want to win a back-to-back title to leave an unforgettable memory within the tournament.

The Horned Frogs came close to being knocked out of the CFP when they lost their conference championship game but in the end that wasn’t enough to keep TCU out of the big game.

Georgia vs TCU: Kick-Off Time

Georgia and TCU play for the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship on Saturday, December 31 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

Georgia vs TCU: TV Channel and Live Streaming

The College Football season is available on Television, Radio and Live Streaming on the Internet, this College Football Playoff National Championship matchup and other games will be broadcast in the United States by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is ESPN. Don’t forget to download the app to watch the game on your smartphone.

Georgia vs TCU: Predictions And Odds

Georgia Bulldogs are favorites at -13 spread and 1.20 moneyline that will pay $120 bucks for a $100 bet on BetMGM, they are the big favorites and title defenders. TCU Horned Frogs are underdogs with +13 ATS and 4.75 moneyline. The totals are offered at 63.5 points. The best pick for this National Championship game is: Georgia Bulldogs -13.

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* Odds via BetMGM

The Wolverines did not lose any regular season games, they started the 2022 season as a No. 8 team and finished the regular season as the second best team in the nation.

The Horned Frogs started the season as underdogs but after the first four weeks it was obvious that they were favorites to go further than everyone expected. The Horned Frogs’ only loss was against Kansas State during the Big 12 Championship game 28-31 (OT).

Michigan vs TCU: Kick-Off Time

Michigan and TCU play for the 2022 Fiesta Bowl today, December 31 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

ET: 4:00 PM
CT: 3:00 PM
MT: 2:00 PM
PT: 1:00 PM

Michigan vs TCU: TV Channel and Live Streaming

The College Football season is available on Television, Radio and Live Streaming on the Internet, this Fiesta Bowl matchup and other games will be broadcast in the United States by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is ESPN. Don’t forget to download the app to watch the game on your smartphone.

Michigan vs TCU: Predictions And Odds

Michigan Wolverines are favorites with -7.5 spread and 1.33 moneyline that will pay $133 bucks for a $100 bet on BetMGM, both teams know how to stop any dangerous play. TCU Horned Frogs are underdogs with +7.5 ATS and 3.40 moneyline. The totals are offered at 58 points. The best pick for this CFP SEMIFINAL game is: TCU Horned Frogs +7.5.

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* Odds via BetMGM

The Horned Frogs want this season to be memorable, and not just because of the number of wins, but because they want to make it to the CFP even though the Horned Frogs are outside most of the CFP Rankings predictions.

The Wildcats did not have a perfect record but they settled for the second spot in the Big 12 and that was enough with a record of 7-2 and 9-3 overall to reach the big conference title game.

TCU vs Kansas State: Kick-Off Time

TCU and Kansas State play for the 2022 Big 12 Conference Football Championship title on Saturday, December 3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Australia: 4:00 AM (AEDT) December 4
Canada: 12:00 PM (EST)
China: 1:00 AM (GMT) December 4
Germany: 6:00 PM (CET)
Ireland: 5:00 PM (GMT)
Mexico: 11:00 AM (CST)
US: 12:00 PM (ET)
UK: 5:00 PM (GMT)

TCU vs Kansas State: TV Channel and Live Streaming

The College Football season is available on Television, Radio and Live Streaming on the Internet, this Conference Championship matchup and other games will be broadcast in the United States by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is ABC. Don’t forget to download the app to watch the game on your smartphone.

If you want to know all the channels, packages and plans offered by FuboTV, you can click here

TCU vs Kansas State: Predictions And Odds

TCU Horned Frogs are favorites with -2.5 spread and 1.71 moneyline that will pay $171 bucks for a $100 bet on BetMGM, they have a strong winning streak. Kansas State Wildcats are underdogs with +2.5 ATS and 2.15 moneyline. The totals are offered at 62 points. The best pick for this College Football game is: Horned Frogs -2.5.

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* Odds via BetMGM

The Bears saw their winning streak come to an end with a recent loss to Kansas State at home 3-31. Before that loss they won three straight games.

The Horned Frogs are close to the perfect season, they need only three victories for the consecration. TCU’s most recent victory was against No. 18 Texas 17-10 on the road.

Baylor vs TCU: Date

Baylor and TCU play for a Week 12 game of the 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season today, November 19 at McLane Stadium in Waco. The home team knows the visitors are lethal, but the Bears’ record isn’t too bad at home.

Baylor vs TCU: Time by state in the US

ET: 12:00 PM
CT: 11:00 AM
MT: 10:00 AM
PT: 9:00 AM

TV Channel in the US to watch Baylor vs TCU at the 2022 NCAA College Football Week 12

This game for the Week 12 of 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season, Baylor and TCU at the McLane Stadium in Waco on Saturday, November 19, will be broadcast in the US by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is FOX.

If you want to know all the channels, packages and plans offered by FuboTV, you can click here

The Longhorns have a 6-3 overall winning record, and last week they beat Kansas State 34-24 on the road. Before that victory they had lost to Oklahoma State 34-41.

The Horned Frogs are very close to making history, they need only three wins to close the 2022 season with a perfect regular season record. So far 9 perfect weeks without a loss, the most recent victory was against Texas Tech 34-24 at home.

Texas vs TCU: Date

Texas and TCU play for a Week 11 game of the 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season today, November 12 at Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin. The home team has a good offensive line, but the visitors are winning every game without mercy.

Texas vs TCU: Time by state in the US

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

TV Channel in the US to watch Texas vs TCU at the 2022 NCAA College Football Week 11

This game for the Week 11 of 2022 NCAA Division I College Football season, Texas and TCU at the Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, November 12, will be broadcast in the US by FuboTV (7-day free trial) and other options to watch this game in the US is ABC.

If you want to know all the channels, packages and plans offered by FuboTV, you can click here