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North Carolina will face TCU in their season opener on August 29 in Dublin, Ireland, seeking revenge after last year's 48-14 loss. The game marks a rematch of their previous encounter, which was a significant event in Chapel Hill.
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Just like last season, North Carolina will take on TCU in the season opener, with the only difference being that the game will be played in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 29.
Last year’s matchup was the highly anticipated debut of Bill Belichick’s collegiate career, and everyone in Chapel Hill could not wait. Franklin Street was full, ESPN was in town to set up College GameDay, and multiple celebrities were in attendance, including Michael Jordan himself.
The game opened with a jolt as former starting quarterback Gio Lopez engineered a sharp touchdown drive capped by a Caleb Hood goal-line run, sending Kenan Stadium into an early eruption.
That would be the last real surge of adrenaline inside Kenan for the rest of the game — and, as it turned out, the season. Lopez did not complete another pass for roughly two hours of real time. North Carolina scored just once more, while TCU controlled the game on both sides of the ball. The Horned Frogs blitzed UNC, 48-14, spoiling what could have been a magical night in Chapel Hill.
Here is a way-too-early sneak peek of the Horned Frogs.
Dec 30, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Ken Seals (center) and head coach Sonny Dykes celebrate after victory over Southern California Trojans in the Alamo Bowl as Valero chief operating officer Gary Simmons (left) watches at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Including their win over North Carolina, TCU opened the season 3-0 and earned a convincing victory over a solid SMU team coming off a College Football Playoff appearance, catapulting the Horned Frogs to No. 24 in the Associated Press poll.
The UNC vs TCU season opener is scheduled for August 29.
Last year, TCU defeated UNC 48-14 in their season opener.
The game will take place in Dublin, Ireland.
Last year's game featured notable attendees, including Michael Jordan.

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They went 3-4 over their next seven games, a stretch that included a 44-13 road loss to then-No. 12 BYU. TCU responded with back-to-back wins over then-No. 23 Houston and a strong Cincinnati team to finish the regular season 8-4. The Horned Frogs capped the year with a 30-27 overtime win against USC in the Alamo Bowl to finish 9-4.
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Jonathan Bax #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs sacks Gio Lopez #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels and causes a fumble during the second half of the game at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Quarterback Josh Hoover, who picked apart UNC’s defense in last year’s matchup by throwing for 284 yards and two touchdowns, transferred to the defending national champion Indiana and coach Curt Cignetti this offseason. Hoover finished last season with 3,472 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Three of TCU’s top four pass catchers also departed, including 1,000-yard receiver Eric McAllister.
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 01: Wide receiver Jordan Dwyer #7 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs runs past defensive back Marcus Allen #29 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels en route to a touchdown reception during the first half at Kenan Stadium on September 01, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images)
The Horned Frogs return a bulk of its starters and did not have to go into the transfer portal as much.
To replace Hoover, head coach Sonny Dykes brought in Harvard transfer Jaden Craig, who is likely to be TCU’s starter. Craig threw for 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season, and in 2024 he totaled 2,430 yards, 23 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
Like Hoover, Craig will face UNC with plenty of college experience. In TCU’s typical high-powered, pass-first offense, the Tar Heels’ defense will have its hands full, especially with receiver Jordan Dwyer, who had 136 yards and a touchdown against UNC and a 700-yard season in 2025.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football vs. TCU in Dublin: A way-too-early look at the Horned Frogs