Jordan Shipp seemingly didn’t want to overhype the University of North Carolina’s football team’s 2026 opening game too much.
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A matchup with TCU in Dublin on Saturday is an opportunity for redemption, perhaps, after a 48-14 shellacking at the hands of the same opponent on Sep. 1, 2025 — last year’s season opener. . But Shipp said, also, “it is what it is.”
“I mean, it’s not a rivalry game,” said Shipp, UNC’s star receiver. “… It’s just… they beat us last year.”
In the immediate aftermath, though, the Tar Heels had plenty to reflect on. Last season’s opening drive for UNC ended with a touchdown. Then came the rest in what served as a tone-setter for a tumultuous debut campaign for legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick in Chapel Hill. Shipp said it’s just another game, and redshirt senior defensive lineman Melkart Abou-Jaoude echoed that sentiment.
It’s undoubtedly different, of course, with North Carolina making the trip to Ireland for the matchup and it being a Week 0 contest that’s one of the few college football games on television this weekend.
Belichick noted even the time change and travel is not too dissimilar to the Tar Heels’ game at California on Oct. 17, 2025 last season — just in the opposite direction.
The rematch remains a pivotal game for UNC if it is to rebound from its 4-8 finish last season, but several who spoke at the program’s news conference on Monday still downplayed the outcome of the last matchup’s impact on that. But reflecting on that game, Belichick said it’s important that UNC doesn’t “beat ourselves.”
“We gave up 14 points last year on offensive turnovers, had a couple long runs and passes where they gained a lot of yards on just one or two plays,” Belichick said. “So we’ve got to do a better job than we did last year in those situations, take care of the ball, not giving up explosive plays.”
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Senior quarterback Jaden Craig: The Harvard transfer quarterback was a four-star addition per 247 Sports after throwing for 2,869 yards with 25 touchdowns. Those were each Harvard single-season program records, as were his 208 completions.
Fifth-year wide receiver Jordan Dwyer: A member of the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, Dwyer is the top receiving option for Craig. He caught 54 passes for 730 yards and will have more opportunity with former TCU receiver Eric McAlister departed.
Senior safety Jamel Johnson: TCU’s leading returning tackler (96) and interceptor (five) from a season ago will be a focal point for its defense. Johnson’s five interceptions were tied for seventh in the nation in 2025.
Fifth-year EDGE Paul Oyewale: Oyewale is one of the many returners with significant experience on the TCU defensive line. He had 7.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks last season.
TCU is a 7.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is set at 47.5.
Who: University of North Carolina vs. TCU
Where: Dublin, Ireland
Date: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: Noon (5 p.m. in Dublin)
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN.com/watch or the ESPN app
Series history: The Tar Heels are 3-1 all-time in their games against TCU, with the only loss coming in last season’s contest.
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This story was originally published August 26, 2026 at 5:45 AM.