Did you know that Bill Belichick is the head coach at North Carolina? How is nobody talking about that?
Seriously, though, Belichick makes his college football debut when the Tar Heels play host to the TCU Horned Frogs in the final game of Week 1.
This UNC team looks unrecognizable compared to last year’s squad, as Belichick loaded up in the transfer portal.
However, will this team be able to gel in time to give them some value as 3-point home pups?
My early TCU vs. North Carolina predictions explain why I’m skeptical.
Find out more in my college football picks for Monday, September 1.
TCU vs North Carolina predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early TCU vs North Carolina spread pick: TCU -3.5 (-110)
In an offseason full of compelling storylines, Bill Belichick deciding to try his luck in the college game and taking over the reins at North Carolina probably tops the list.
The greatest NFL coach of all time is set to make his college football debut in Chapel Hill against an experienced TCU team.
Belichick went to work immediately by reshaping this North Carolina roster, and they’ll begin the season with more than 60 new faces on the roster, including recently named starting quarterback Gio Lopez.
Lopez is a dual-threat QB who comes over from South Alabama, and he passed for 2,559 yards and rushed for another 463 last season.
The question is, how quickly will Lopez and this team full of transfers gel — particularly against an experienced team like this TCU squad?
It’s Sonny Dykes’ fourth year in Fort Worth, and this should be his best squad since the miracle Hypno Toads run to the national championship in 2023.
QB Josh Hoover returns after setting the school record for passing yards in a season with 3,949. Meanwhile, the defense returns eight starters, with the secondary being a real strength.
I’ll have to see it to believe it with Belichick and the Tar Heels. There is a huge variance with transfer-heavy rosters, particularly early in the season.
For now, I’ll lay the field goal with the Horned Frogs. All hail the Hypno Toads.
Early TCU vs North Carolina total pick: Under 56.5 (-110)
The early total for this standalone Monday night game is sitting at a moderately high 56.5, and I’m going to lean toward the Under.
There are just too many different pieces for this North Carolina offense, which includes trying to replace star running back Omarion Hampton, as well as their top two receivers.
We have also never seen Bill Belichick coach a college football game. Expecting the Tar Heels to do their part to send this game Over this number might be asking a little much.
Even though this TCU team will try to air it out with Hoover, the strength of this UNC defense should be its secondary.
Add in the fact that the Horned Frogs are on the road, and this game has a great chance to go Under.
TCU vs North Carolina odds
- TCU vs. North Carolina spread: North Carolina -2.5
- TCU vs. North Carolina moneyline: TCU +115, North Carolina -135
- TCU vs. North Carolina Over/Under: 57.5
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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