TCU Draws Near to Belichick, UNC in Pivotal Opener in Ireland

The wait is finally over for TCU to return to the gridiron, as the Horned Frogs eye a rematch with North Carolina out in Ireland to virtually open the slate for all of college football.

Last year's meeting on Labor Day drew attention from across the nation, most of which was focused on legendary six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick making his head coaching debut at the collegiate ranks.

However, the focus quickly shifted away from Belichick and the Tar Heels to TCU after it spoiled the celebration in Chapel Hill with a 48-14 thrashing.

Behind veteran quarterback Josh Hoover and other dynamic pieces, the Horned Frogs made a statement about their abilities early last year.

READ MORE: TCU Could Benefit From Key North Carolina Absence in Season Opener

However, that same tenacity was not always present, as the team dropped a few key games to keep them out of the Big 12 title race, but they still finished with a 9-4 record for the second straight season.

With no Hoover and other important pieces, such as receiver Eric McAlister, moving on from the program, the pressure is back on TCU to prove it can still compete on the biggest of stages.

Enter Harvard graduate transfer Jaden Craig, who is set to replace Hoover under center and boasts four years of experience with the Crimson in the Ivy League.

The last two years with his previous squad, Craig went for at least 20 touchdowns and threw no more than seven interceptions in both years, while also racking up over 2,000 yards each season.

Obviously, North Carolina, as disappointing as last season was, brings a higher level of challenge than any team faced by Craig in the FCS ranks, but the veteran has shown he has the natural skills needed to lead the Horned Frogs.

Meanwhile, the Tar Heels have undergone changes, as well. Fresh off a disastrous 3-9 campaign, Belichick could already find himself on the hot seat, regardless of how successful his NFL stint was.

And the former Patriots head coach seems well aware of this fact by trying to reshape the roster for North Carolina.

READ MORE: TCU Football Set for 'Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience' in Ireland

That includes a swap of its own at the quarterback position, with sixth-year Billy Edwards Jr. getting the nod this time around against TCU instead of Gio Lopez.

Edwards is similar to Craig, as both are some of the most experienced passers left in college football this season and each are attempting to shoulder the weight of heavy expectations, whether personal or for the program entirely.

That battle at quarterback is emblematic of the journey of both squads could be the key in whichever team emerges victorious in another marquee meeting.

TCU has not gone unblemished through November since its magical run to the National Championship Game in 2022 and the first step in bucking that trend for the Horned Frogs means taking care of business against North Carolina again.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic between the Horned Frogs and Tar Heels gets underway from Dublin at 11 a.m. CT on Aug. 29.

How to Watch TCU vs. UNC in Dublin: Can Horned Frogs Ruin Bill Belichick’s Season Again in RematchTCU begins the Jaden Craig era against Bill Belichick and North Carolina in Dublin, one year after crushing the Tar Heels by 34 points.