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Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels didn't play this weekend, but there were still learning experiences gained from their perspective.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels didn't play this weekend, but there were still learning experiences gained from their perspective.

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Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels huddle after the warm-up before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

There might be a cloud over North Carolina's head, but the first full weekend of college football gives off some quick overreactions from the Tar Heels' perspective.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Jordan Shipp (1) reacts against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels had this week off, but it can actually be positive for them.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

Much will be revealed about the Tar Heels' conference rivals in the first full weekend of college football. How these matchups turn out could help give UNC football a vision for the future.

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman talks to North Carolina Tar Heels general manger Michael Lombardi and head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels could be significantly impacted by Thursday's latest reports.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels learned a lot about their starting quarterback this past weekend.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

UNC football was looking for efficiency from its starting quarterback. They hope to continue seeing it in future games.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick and TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes shake hands after the game at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The ongoing investigation into UNC's football program just took another drastic turn.

Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Richmond Spiders head coach Russ Huesman talks to North Carolina Tar Heels general manger Michael Lombardi and head coach Bill Belichick before the game at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Here is what the latest developments mean for the Tar Heels' football program.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Greg Smith (1) and defensive back Kaleb Cost (2) celebrate stopping a drive by the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have talented safeties in their defensive backfield who made their mark against TCU.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

After the win over TCU, the Tar Heels have a handful of players who could surprise this season. It could lead to quicker success for the program than anticipated.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

Here is what we learned from the Tar Heels' deployment on Saturday.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) runs the ball against TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Paul Oyewale (97) in the first half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' offense is a work in progress heading into their second game of the season.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Jaziel Hart (30) celebrates after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels have received praise for their win, but the hype train needs to be slowed down.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

North Carolina has every reason to be excited about football after their win over TCU. However, the Tar Heels must continue improving in key areas before they take on bigger opponents.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Xavier Lewis (90) against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' pass rush was one of the most impressive areas in their win on Saturday.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Jelani Thurman (45) is tackled by TCU Horned Frogs safety Jordan Lester (22) in the second half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Ohio State transfer showed what playing tight end in this offense could look like in the Tar Heels' nail-biting win over TCU on Saturday.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels offensive lineman Andrew Threatt (75) celebrates after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

Here were a few surprising developments from the Tar Heels' win on Saturday.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; TCU Horned Frogs running back Jeremy Payne (26) breaks the tackle of North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Kaleb Cost (2) in the second half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels' defense stepped up in the biggest moments, catapulting the team to victory on Saturday.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

A monumental win for head coach Bill Belichick silences critics and more. It could mean further success for the North Carolina Tar Heels this fall.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick stands on the sidleline against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

Here are areas the Tar Heels must address as soon as possible.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) runs the ball against TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Paul Oyewale (97) in the first half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

Here is how Edwards Jr. performed against the Horned Frogs on Saturday.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with the Coach's Award after the game at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

The North Carolina Tar Heels are on the board with Bill Belichick's signature win in college football.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Jaylen McGill (27) celebrates with North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Viliami Moala (56) after scoring a touchdown against the TCU Horned Frogs in the first half at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

Here are the standout and disappointing performers in the Tar Heels' victory.

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) hands off the ball to running back Benjamin Hall (7) in the first half against the TCU Horned Frogs at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images

Here is how social media reacted to the Tar Heels' performance on Saturday.