UNC vs. TCU live updates: Tar Heels begin Year 2 of Bill Belichick era against Horned Frogs in Ireland

College football is finally back! The 2026 season within the Power Four begins across the Atlantic with UNC and TCU meeting in Dublin at 12 p.m. ET). Both programs arrive with new offensive coordinators, transfer quarterbacks and plenty to prove in a matchup carrying early stakes. 

From travel and first-game execution to which revamped offense settles in fastest, our final predictions examine every angle before the Tar Heels and Horned Frogs take center stage in Ireland on Saturday afternoon.

North Carolina vs. TCU prediction, pick, odds, spread: Tar Heels, Horned Frogs kick off Week 0 in Dublin

Brad Crawford

Much of the intrigue for the UNC-TCU opener inside Aviva Stadium in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic centers on two rebuilt offenses and the transfer quarterbacks chosen to run them. Neither program is easing into its new identity. The international spotlight offers an immediate test of timing, communication and composure.

Jaden Craig takes over at TCU after transferring from Harvard, bringing an intriguing combination of experience and upside to Fort Worth. His debut also marks the first game with Gordon Sammis directing the Horned Frogs' offense. Expect TCU to lean on Craig's command of the system while gradually expanding the playbook as he settles in.

The Tar Heels with Billy Edwards Jr., a veteran who previously played at Maryland and Wisconsin before landing in Chapel Hill. Edwards brings mobility, toughness and enough starting experience to steady the Tar Heels in a unique opening environment. Bobby Petrino now controls UNC's offense and his aggressive play-calling should give Edwards opportunities to attack vertically and create outside structure.

Career numbers for each QB

Edwards beat out Texas A&M transfer Miles O'Neill, freshman Travis Burgess and returner Au'Tori Newkirk for the job and Belichick hasn't yet committed to his backup.

"All of those guys have done a lot of good things in camp. Billy's probably a little more consistent and he has more experience. That probably showed up over a long haul," Belichick said last week after naming his starter.

There's overwhelming confidence from our army of analysts in Texas Tech and BYU as serious CFP contenders this season from the Big 12, but what about the Horned Frogs? The league's order of finish predictions, most underrated teams, overrated selections and more are listed below.

Big 12 expert picks 2026: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions

Cody Nagel

Jordan Dwyer, the Horned Frogs' top returning wideout this season, will not play against the Tar Heels due to an ongoing foot injury, ESPN reports. Dwyer traveled with the team to Dublin, Ireland and was listed as a game-time decision on TCU's availability report before the reported downgrade. Dwyer is set to be the team's No. 1 option on the outside following the departure of Eric McAlister, who exhausted his eligibility. Sophomore Terry Shelton is expected to see an extended role on Saturday.

Jordan Dwyer, one of the Horned Frogs' top returning playmakers offensively, is recovering from a foot injury and is a game-time decision in Dublin, per reports. Dwyer recorded 54 catches for 730 yards and seven touchdowns last fall. TCU is debuting a new offense under first-year OC Gordon Sammis following Kendal Briles' departure to South Carolina. If Dwyer suits up, he'll be catching passes from starting quarterback Jaden Craig, a transfer from Harvard.

Where do our CBS Sports experts expect the Tar Heels and Bill Belichick to end the season within the ACC? Let's just say they're not too optimistic. You can have a look at our comprehensive 2026 ACC season preview and predictions below. 

ACC expert picks 2026: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions

Brandon Marcello