The Bill Belichick era in Chapel Hill kicks off with a non-conference tilt against Big-12 foe TCU, a game that will serve as a strong challenge for the UNC football program to begin the 2025 season.
Coming off a 9-win season, the Horned Frogs come to Chapel Hill for the first time ever, hoping to spoil Belichick's debut with the program. While these two programs have never met previously on the gridiron, they will play for consecutive seasons starting this year, with next year's battle slated to be held in Dublin, Ireland.
In this day and age of college athletics, it's extremely difficult to know what a team has heading into the new season. Let's face it: teams trying to game plan for the Tar Heels are really having to dig deep to do so (likely watching some old Patriots film to see what Belichick might bring to the college ranks).
For TCU, they return some key players, including their star quarterback, and are hoping to build upon last season's success while facing a much tougher schedule this upcoming season.
2024 Season In Review
Record: 9-4
Conference: 6-3 (Tied for 5th in the Big 12)
Home: 4-2
Away: 4-2
Neutral: 1-0
Notable Wins: Texas Tech
Important Note: Only one of the Horned Frogs' conference victories came against a team over .500 in Big 12 play.
Bowl Game: Defeated Louisiana 34-3 in the New Mexico Bowl on December 28
Key Returners
Josh Hoover- Quarterback
The Horned Frogs go as Josh Hoover goes.
Coming off a stellar sophomore season in which he threw for 3949 and 27 touchdowns, TCU is hopeful that Hoover can pick up right where he left off a season ago.
Bud Clark- Safety
Leading up to his senior season, Bud Clark is regarded as one of the top safeties in the nation.
As a junior, Clark recorded a career-high 68 tackles, leading all safeties in the nation with a 90.1 coverage grade. His 11 career interceptions are two shy of cracking the top-10 all-time among Horned Frog defensive players.
Newcomer to Watch
Eric McAlister- Wide Receiver
A transfer from Boise State, McAlister was a first-down machine a season ago. When he touched the ball, Boise State essentially moved the chains, as 93.2% of his receptions resulted in first downs.
With TCU losing a lot of production at the wide receiver position, expect to see a lot of McAlister.
Area of Strength- Secondary
TCU was one of the best teams in coverage a season ago, and returns some key players among the secondary unit. Clark is the headliner of this group, but two other starters return as well, providing a formidable veteran presence in the secondary that should limit air traffic for opposing offenses.
Area of Weakness- Rushing the Passer
TCU struggled mightily in this area a season ago and made little progress addressing the issue during the offseason. If the pass rush is nonexistent, it will make things more difficult for the secondary, as they must find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback this season.