Paul Fineaum predicts 'big and dramatic' victory for Bill Belichick, North Carolina over TCU

North Carolina hosts TCU on Monday night to wrap up Week 1 on Labor Day. It will serve as Bill Belichick’s debut as the Tar Heels head coach.

Paul Finebaum joined SportsCenter on Sunday morning during a new segment where the SEC analyst predicts the future, and was asked to predict the outcome of UNC’s opener. Unusual to Finebaum’s character, he kept the prediction short and sweet.

“Chapel Bill has a big and dramatic victory over TCU,” Finebaum predicted. Finenaum joked that he didn’t want to add anything else because he was “afraid to.”

Many questions and debate has surrounded North Carolina’s offseason. Turnover across the board, staff and roster this offseason, has no one exactly sure what to make of the Tar Heels ahead of its 2025 regular season. Starting the year out against another power conference opponent (Big 12) in TCU, North Carolina should be able to gauge where they’re at based on the outcome.

For Belichick, he’s taking over a team that finished the 2024 college football season with a 6-7 overall record. UNC was unranked for the entire season for the first time since 2019.

Of course, Belichick comes in with the reputation as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, winning six Super Bowls as the head coach of the New England Patriots as a part of the two-decade dynasty with Tom Brady and company.

Many are unsure whether his coaching philosophy can transition to the college game. However, Belichick has noted his embrace of college football’s professional approach in the age of name, image and likeness. Belichick said he’s “very comfortable” when dealing with various NIL packages, and even player’s agents and representatives.

With consecutive matchups against Charlotte and Richmond on the horizon, North Carolina has time to make the proper adjustments after Week 1 before taking on another Big 12 team in UCF in Week 4.

After a bye, UNC will begin ACC play against Clemson at home on Oct. 4. As of Week 1 — Clemson will be the only ranked team the Tar Heels play all season at this point.

For now, the Tar Heels have their sights set on opening the season on a high note in front of their home fans in Chapel Hill. North Carolina’s Week 1 matchup is set for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff on Monday, and will air live on ESPN. TCU is a 3.5-point favorite over UNC heading into the matchup, according to BetMGM.