Week 1 of the 2025 campaign is nearly in the books, but there’s one more game on Monday night — TCU vs. North Carolina — and it happens to feature one of the biggest names in football.
We’re referring, of course, to 73-year-old former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, whose move from the pros to the college ranks has dominated headlines all offseason.
Belichick’s Tar Heels are one of the most difficult teams in the country to project after carrying out the biggest offseason overhaul — in terms of both the coaching staff and the roster — in college football.
Led by underrated quarterback Josh Hoover, the Horned Frogs have a chance to contend in the Big 12 after a 9-4 finish a year ago.
TCU vs. North Carolina Betting Odds
How To Watch TCU vs. North Carolina
- Kickoff: 8 p.m.
- TV: ESPN
How To Bet TCU vs. North Carolina
- TCU 2024 record: 9-4 (6-3 Big 12)
- North Carolina 2024 record: 6-7 (3-5 ACC)
TCU Horned Frogs Betting News, Outlook
In 2022, TCU memorably made a stunning a run to the CFP national title game. The Horned Frogs’ follow-up in 2023 was a 5-7 disaster, but they bounced back in 2024, winning six of their last seven after a 3-3 start.
The ceiling for the Horned Frogs this year is high thanks to Hoover, who averaged nearly 304 passing yards per game last fall. He was particularly impressive down the stretch, with 11 TDs and five picks as TCU went 5-1 in its final six games, with wins over Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Cincinnati and Louisiana in the New Mexico Bowl.
Hoover will have new faces to break in at receiver after last year’s top targets, Jack Bech and Savion Williams, were both top-90 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Experienced transfers Jordan Dwyer from Idaho and Joseph Manjack IV from Houston give him two veteran options, though. TCU also returns a dangerous big-play threat in Eric McAlister, who averaged nearly 20 yards per catch last year and led the team in receiving in its bowl game romp over Louisiana.
Defensively, the Horned Frogs finished 2024 strong after some ugly showings early, including in a 66-42 loss to TCU. A number of key players are back on this defense, but the front seven will feature several new faces alongside Namdi Obiazor and Devean Deal.
North Carolina Betting News, Outlook
It’s hard to briefly sum up what to expect from an almost entirely new roster and coaching staff, so we’ll focus on the top transfer to watch for Carolina.
The biggest name for Carolina is quarterback Gio Lopez from South Alabama. Lopez is a dynamic dual-threat under center. He boasts a career average of 6.1 yards per carry on 101 rushing attempts (including sacks).
He also averaged 8.2 yards per attempt as a passer last year, with an impressive 18 TDs and just 5 interceptions on just over 28 attempts per game.
The defense for UNC will feature a slew of transfers, including linebackers Andrew Simpson from Boise State and Mikai Gbayor from Nebraska.
Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl-winning coach, should be able to make the Heels solid on defense eventually, but it’s hard to know how quickly that will happen.
Offensively, Lopez brings some upside, but he has to prove that he can get it done against much better defenses than he saw in the Sun Belt the last two years.
TCU vs. North Carolina Prediction, Best Bets
A strong first quarter by the Heels shouldn’t shock anyone, but Hoover and the Horned Frogs are the much more proven entity in this game, and therefore the better bet.
That being said, I don’t blame anyone for sprinkling the Heels on the first quarter moneyline, as there’s a good chance the spark from Belichick and what should be a strong crowd could give the Heels a lead after 15 minutes.
Best bet:
- 1Q Winner (3-Way) — North Carolina (+178 at FD) — 0.25 units
- TCU -3.5 (-110 at bet365) — 1 unit
Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through any links in this article. See the sportsbook operator’s terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
The post TCU vs. North Carolina Betting Odds, Prediction: Belichick Makes CFB Debut appeared first on Newsweek.
