College Football Kick Off in Ireland: North Carolina vs. TCU Expert Picks
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Update: Wed Aug 26, 2026, 10:19 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
ncaaf
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+9.5
-110
47
-110o
+300
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-9.0
-110
46
-110u
-340
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have finally made it. College Football returns to our screens, and of course we get to go across the pond for the opening kick off. Fire up the Guinness nice and early because at noon eastern in Dublin, Ireland, the North Carolina Tar Heels and Bill Belichick take on the TCU Horned Frogs. As always, the weather might be a factor with light rain expected, which could explain the total moving down. Let's get into our expert NCAA Football picks for Saturday's CFB Kick Off!
Check out the best odds on the market and tons of picks for the NCAA Football Season.
NCAA Football Expert Insights: North Carolina vs. TCU
Billy Edwards leads the Tar Heels in Ireland as they kick off the college football season
Bill Belichick begins his second year as a collegiate head coach, facing the same team who beat him at home to kick off last season. Of course personnel has changed plenty, but the Tar Heels were riddled with offseason drama, and I don't trust what they got in the portal. Billy Edwards comes over to be their QB. In his only full season as a starter, he threw for 2,800 yards for Maryland in 2024. Do we really trust him to revamp an offense that was in the bottom 25 in yards per game and bottom 15 in scoring.
As for the Horned Frogs, Josh Hoover is no more, but they bring in Harvard transfer Jaden Craig to play quarterback and return five starters on each side of the ball, including picking up three extra starters in the portal. Last year, after giving up an 83 yard touchdown drive in less than five minutes, the Horned Frogs went on to out score the Tar Heels 48-7, beating them by 30 on their own field.
How will things go in Ireland?
Matchup Information – North Carolina vs. TCU – August 29
- Venue & Location: Aviva Stadium (Dublin, Ireland)
- Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Kick Off: 12:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN
IT'S FINALLY AER LINGUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL CLASSIC GAME WEEK‼️ #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/heAmmVmMQa
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) August 24, 2026
Tar Heels vs. Horned Frogs Betting Odds
Odds listed are from BetOnline as of Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 2:22 p.m. eastern.
Spread
- North Carolina +9 (-110)
- TCU -9 (-110)
Moneyline
- North Carolina +280
- TCU -350
Total
- Over 47 (-110)
- Under 47 (-110)
North Carolina vs. TCU: NCAA Football Expert Picks
Harvard transfer QB Jaden Craig takes over for the Horned Frogs offense
North Carolina vs. TCU Prediction: Horned Frogs Win and Cover, Under 47
Best Bet: TCU -8.5 (-112) BetOnline
Look, we need to talk about this line movement. Earlier this summer, TCU opened as a 6.5 point favorite. They were bought up to 7.5, where it remained for a while. When I began typing this article on Wednesday afternoon, there was still a couple of 7.5s out there, and even some flat eights. Before I could finish, those both vanished.
The Horned Frogs are now favored by 8.5 across the market, with a couple of nines. I have to hold off. Money continues to come in against Belichick and North Carolina. I was already breaking a principle of mine after we missed the move through the touchdown, but now its steamed up too much for my liking. Unless we see some buy back on Saturday, or if Heels jump out to an early lead, I will pass on this game.
My playable number would be laying 7.5 pregame with the Frogs, but not for more than a buck 15. Otherwise, maybe a -3.5 live if UNC goes up 7-0 quick. Either way, I see the Horned Frogs being the right side, therefore I would be comfortable using their ML as a parlay piece.
Give me a sloppy, TCU win, that barely stays under the total. Maybe 28-17.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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