After a long seven months of waiting, college football finally returns to televisions today. First up? UNC and TCU in an international rematch.
On Saturday, The Tar Heels and Horned Frogs will kick off at 12 p.m. ET
from Dublin, Ireland in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. North Carolina is eager to prove 2025 was a rough fluke, while TCU looks to make it two straight wins against the boys in Carolina Blue.Most college football fans remember what happened on Labor Day 2025, when enormous offseason anticipation quickly faded during UNC's 48-14 blowout loss. The Tar Heels got Kenan Stadium's hopes up, scoring an opening-drive touchdown capped by Caleb Hood's touchdown run, but only scored seven more points.
Good news: that game is in the
past. North Carolina is eager to showcase its offseason improvements, at least according to head coach Bill Belichick. UNC will be without defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, but will have new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Expectations aren't nearly as high for 2026, so there isn't pressure to be "perfect" for the NFL's GOAT coach.
The Tar Heels return stars like Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Jordan Shipp, while adding extensive Power Four starting experience from Billy Edwards Jr. and Derek McDonald. The Horned Frogs lost star quarterback Josh Hoover and most 2025 defensive starters, so North Carolina has every chance to win and a leg up in experience.
If you're in Ireland already? Have fun and head on down to Aviva Stadium. If you're watching on TV, your favorite streaming device, listening on the radio or somewhere else, keep reading below for more broadcast information.
Stream UNC vs. TCU
What channel is North Carolina vs. TCU on Saturday? Time, TV schedule, radio
TV Channel: ESPN
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Radio: SiriusXM (Channel 82 (UNC broadcast) or 84 (TCU broadcast))
Website: WatchESPN
Where to watch UNC-TCU football rematch on live stream
Stream UNC-TCU football
UNC vs. TCU prediction, picks, odds
There's nothing UNC wants to do more than start its 2026 campaign with a win, especially after the Labor Day blowout in 2025. Belichick and his players are confident, despite a tough schedule on paper.
TCU said goodbye to a fair portion of its 2025 starters, but reinforced with additions like Harvard transfer Jaden Craig. The Horned Frogs are the better team entering this game, but anything can happen on neutral ground.
North Carolina plays TCU close, but the boys in purple come away with another noticeable victory.
Score prediction: TCU 31, UNC 17
All College Football Odds via BetMGM
SPREAD: TCU -9.5
MONEYLINE: North Carolina +290, TCU -350
O/U TOTAL: 46.5
UNC Football 2026 schedule
August 29: vs. TCU in Dublin, Ireland at 12 p.m.
September 12: vs. ETSU (12 p.m.)
Sept. 19: at Clemson (12 p.m.)
October 3: vs. Notre Dame
Oct. 10: at Pitt
Oct. 17: at Duke
Oct. 24: vs. Syracuse
Oct. 31: vs. Miami (FL)
November 7: at UConn
Nov. 14: vs. Louisville
Nov. 21: at Virginia
Nov. 28: vs. NC State
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: What channel is UNC's 2026 football opener vs TCU on?
