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College football kicks off in Ireland!
29 Aug
Summary
- TCU faces UNC in the 2026 season opener in Dublin.
- Bill Belichick debuts as UNC coach against TCU.
- TCU is an 8.5-point favorite over North Carolina.
The 2026 college football season officially kicks off with a transatlantic clash between the TCU Horned Frogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels in Dublin, Ireland. This highly anticipated game is set for August 29th at Aviva Stadium. The North Carolina Tar Heels, now led by head coach Bill Belichick, are looking to improve upon their 4-8 record from last season. Their debut under Belichick was previously spoiled by TCU, who defeated them 48-14.
Last year, TCU, under Sonny Dykes, achieved a 9-4 record. For the upcoming opener, TCU enters as 8.5-point favorites against North Carolina. The SportsLine Projection Model anticipates a higher-scoring game, predicting the total points to go over 46.5. This prediction is based on the model's extensive simulations and its strong performance in college football moneylines. Both teams have undergone changes, with TCU looking to integrate new offensive talent and UNC aiming to bolster their offense under new coordinator Bobby Petrino.
