Have you caught your breath yet, North Carolina fans? Just about everyone wrote the Tar Heels off before the season-opener in Dublin, but UNC shocked the world by posting a nail-biting 15-10 win over TCU. Bill Belichick was fired up after the close win, and no one can blame him for that - nope, not one bit.
While it was far from perfect, UNC is 1-0 on the year, and the Tar Heels got some much-needed revenge on the Horned Frogs. In the victory, four people looked particularly great, while two individuals in particular are eating their words right about now. In this piece, we've got our four biggest winners and two losers, and you won't be surprised who's getting love first.
Bill Belichick was the biggest winner from UNC's win over TCU
This is how you remind people that you're one of the best coaches of all time. Belichick had so many haters bashing him before kickoff, essentially guaranteeing that TCU was going to post a simple win and barely break a sweat. Instead, Belichick out-classed Sonny Dykes, with the defense he was calling during his son Steve's absence giving TCU all sorts of fits. It's one thing to silence the haters, but maybe now Belichick can get some of the respect he deserves.
Paul Finebaum (loser) was served a massive piece of humble pie
Remember when Paul Finebaum recently called Belichick a grouch and a loser? Finebaum basically said that Belichick and North Carolina weren't going to have a chance at impressing people this season, blasting Belichick in a way not many people have seen before.
What's Paul got to say now? Finebaum is known for some pretty eye-opening takes, but throwing venom at BB like this was totally out of line. Belichick didn't need any extra motivation to take down TCU, but knowing Finebaum looks silly right now is something everyone can celebrate.
"I'm not pulling for Bill Belichick. He's a grouch, he's a bully, and his career in college is about to go down in flames." @finebaum sounds off on Bill Belichick 😳 pic.twitter.com/a1y81a04Ym
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 25, 2026
QB Billy Edwards (winner) did more than enough to help UNC go 1-0
What a difference strong quarterback play can make. While there's no need to bring down Gio Lopez, who was one-and-done with North Carolina, it has been made quite clear what the upgrade looks like with Billy Edwards Jr. running the show. The veteran QB transferred in from Wisconsin, coming off a 2025 season ruined by injuries.
Edwards looked healthy vs. TCU, which was awesome to see. He tested his bum knee by moving around a bit and looked solid. Throwing for 232 yards in tough conditions is nothing to sneeze at either. If Edwards can continue to operate this offense at a high level, even more big moments will be on the way for him.
Life without Freddie Kitchens (loser) is great so far for North Carolina fans
It's hard to really say the offense did a 180 from what we saw last season, especially with only 15 points going up on the board. Still, can we talk about the difference Bobby Petrino made in key situations for the Heels? It's safe to say he knows exactly what he's doing and how to bring out the best in his guys.
That was something we didn't see out of former OC Freddie Kitchens last year, which played a big role in the two sides parting ways. Kitchens' infuriating play-calling got old pretty quickly in '25, but Petrino drew up some calls against TCU that people are still talking about. It's safe to say people are loving the fact that Petrino was the one to take over for Kitchens.
Going from Freddie Kitchens to Bobby Petrino might be biggest upgrade in country
— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) August 29, 2026
Can’t overstate the upgrade for Carolina going from Freddie Kitchens to Bobby Petrino at OC.
— Taylor Vippolis (@tvippolis) August 29, 2026
Ohio State transfer Jelani Thurman (winner) was a needed spark for UNC
Edwards, of course, wasn't the only transfer to put on a show in this one, as tight end Jelani Thurman wasted no time showing his worth to Belichick and North Carolina. On the day, the 6-6, 240-pounder posted four receptions for 94 yards, leading the team there - only Jordan Shipp finished with more receptions (five). Thurman is going to play a key role the rest of the way, with Belichick left favorably impressed by his performance.
“Jelani gave us some explosive plays, especially early in the game, to kind of get us started there, and then the pass and on the naked and on the flat, you know, that was a big first down there, and at the end on the last drive," Belichick told reporters after the final whistle.
DL Xavier Lewis (winner) simply could not be stopped for UNC vs. TCU
Last but not least, goodness, Xavier Lewis deserves all the praise in the world right now. Lewis was a beast in the trenches for Carolina against the Horned Frogs. Straight up, Lewis was on fire going up against the TCU offensive line, overpowering the opposition consistently.
Lewis had 4.5 tackles for loss (seven total) and two sacks. What made his performance even sweeter was that he played with serious passion, getting absolutely jacked up after each of his big plays. It was no question a welcome sight for Belichick, who will be relying on the 6-0, 250-pounder to keep playing at a high level for him to lead the way up front.
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