It was the first major FBS game of the 2026 college football season in Week 0, with TCU taking on North Carolina on Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. The two teams met to open the season last year in Chapel Hill, and the Horned Frogs dominated 48-14. But this year, in Year 2 under Bill Belichick, it was a completely different story. The Horned Frogs scored 10 points on their first two drives, but then went scoreless the rest of the game to lost to UNC 15-10. Here are the Top 3 takeaways from the game.
Jaden Craig was Overmatched
TCU’s new quarterback looked like a guy who came from Harvard, and at least at first glance, the big stage and bright lights were too big for him. The accuracy was suspect, the decision-making was mediocre, and as a result, the TCU offense was predictable. Once the Tar Heels zoned in on TCU running back Jeremy Payne, his production went downhill. UNC just didn’t fear Craig, and frankly, they had no reason to throughout the afternoon. He finished with two fumbles, while going 20/32 for 175 yards. On the Horned Frogs’ final drive, with a 4th and short inside the UNC red zone down 15-10, Craig rolled out to his left, and while it appeared like he had a clear chance to run for the first down, he elected to throw across his body into the end zone, and the pass fell incomplete. It was a prime example of Craig’s struggles all afternoon.
TCU Fails at the Little Things
TCU was the much sloppier team on the day, too. From penalties to turnovers, it was a game that TCU deserved to lose. The Horned Frogs had 11 penalties for 90 yards, compared to just three for 20 from the Tar Heels. On the final play of the game, it was TCU flinching on the defensive line on a 4th and short with 30 seconds to play, which clinched the game for UNC. It was the one thing that TCU could not afford to do in that spot.
Another call that stood out was this first-down point, which was relatively harmless. Officials have emphasized it, and it was noted as such this offseason. And it cost TCU 15 yards.
History Has Not Been Kind to the Ireland Loser
This is the fifth straight season an early-season game has been played in Dublin. And losing the Ireland game has not traditionally been a good omen for teams. Last year, Kansas State lost to Iowa State, finished 6-6, and Chris Klieman retired as head coach. Two years ago, Florida State went 2-10 after it lost the Ireland game to Georgia Tech. In 2023, Navy finished off a 5-7 season after falling to Notre Dame. Nebraska lost the 2022 game to Northwestern and went 4-8, including Scott Frost’s mid-season firing.
What does the season hold now for TCU? Well, two very winnable games are coming up against Grambling State and Arkansas State. But in Big 12 play? This team needs to improve in a lot of areas, notably at quarterback and on the offensive line. If they don’t, it will be a long season in Fort Worth.
