Week 0 College Football Preview: UNC, NC State, and More Set for Opening Games The college football season kicks off with a slate of "Week Zero" games on Saturday, Aug. 29, as teams across the nation prepare for their 2026 campaigns. While most FBS programs will begin their regular season a week later, the early matchups offer a glimpse into the competitive landscape and key developments for teams aiming to make noise in the upcoming season. Among the most anticipated games are North Carolina’s return to Dublin, Ireland, against TCU, NC State’s clash with Virginia, and several other matchups that highlight quarterback battles, coaching changes, and playoff aspirations. North Carolina’s season opener against TCU in Dublin marks the start of Year 2 under head coach Bill Belichick, who will be looking to improve on the Tar Heels’ 4-8 record from the previous year. The game carries added significance as TCU will be seeking revenge for a 48-14 blowout loss in the 2025 season opener. UNC has made significant changes to its quarterback room, with Billy Edwards Jr. named the starter after a transfer from Wisconsin. Edwards, who previously played at Maryland, will be tested against a TCU team led by Harvard transfer quarterback Jaden Craig. Craig, a pocket passer, will replace Josh Hoover, who left for Indiana. TCU’s hopes for a strong start depend on its ability to build momentum ahead of its Oct. 3 matchup against BYU. Elsewhere, San Jose State faces No. 14 USC in a Week Zero showdown. The Trojans, coming off a 9-4 season in their second year in the Big Ten, are still searching for their first College Football Playoff berth under head coach Lincoln Riley.#north_carolina #tcu #bill_belichick #jaden_craig #lincoln_riley
Bill Belichick and North Carolina’s Quarterback Battle Has a Winner With about a week and a half to go before its opener, North Carolina reportedly has its man at starting quarterback. The Tar Heels plan to start quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. in their opener against TCU on Aug. 29, according to a Tuesday afternoon report from Pete Thamel of ESPN. Edwards, a 23-year-old Northern Virginia native, played for Maryland from 2022 to ’24 and for Wisconsin in ’25. (He first enrolled at Wake Forest, where he took a redshirt in 2021.) He beat out Miles O’Neill, a participant in eight games at Texas A&M, for the gig. The subtext of coach Bill Belichick’s decision: This is one North Carolina has to—has to—get right. In 2025, poor quarterback play severely hampered North Carolina. Belichick’s first starting quarterback in the college ranks was Gio Lopez, a transfer who’d enjoyed a rock-solid ’24 at South Alabama. Lopez’s first game against the Horned Frogs on Labor Day was a catastrophe, as he completed just four of 10 pass attempts for no touchdowns and one interception while rushing seven times for -10 yards. Better days were ahead—he completed 75% of his passes for four touchdowns combined against Syracuse and Stanford around Halloween. It wasn’t enough, however, to mask his regression with the Tar Heels—and the lack of personnel around him. Lopez is now a member of the Demon Deacons, who won’t play North Carolina this year barring unforeseen circumstances. Edwards will attempt to right the ship. His numbers are not overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination, but there’ve been multiple points in his career where he’s been able to get the job done. In 2023, the Terrapins called upon him to start the Music City Bowl against Auburn, and he was named MVP of a 31–13 win despite an unsightly 30% completion percentage.#north_carolina #tcu #bill_belichick #billy_edwards_jr #miles_oneill
New York Giants' Undrafted Cornerback Thaddeus Dixon Suffers Torn Achilles, Ending Rookie Season Prospects North Carolina defensive back Thaddeus Dixon, signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants, faces a significant setback after tearing his Achilles during pre-draft workouts. The injury, which occurred on Wednesday, has cast doubt on his ability to contribute as a rookie, with recovery timelines typically ranging from six to nine months. While there remains a possibility of returning late in his rookie season, the injury poses a major challenge for a player still establishing himself in the NFL. Dixon, a 6-0, 195-pound cornerback, was recruited by New York Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick to play for North Carolina after his first two seasons at Washington. Under Belichick’s guidance, Dixon recorded five pass breakups and five stops during his lone season with the Tar Heels. However, his performance regressed compared to his final year at Washington, where he allowed a 66.5 passer rating when targeted. Despite this, draft analysts had projected him as a fifth- or sixth-round prospect in a relatively weak draft class, making his signing a valuable addition for the Giants. The Giants have invested heavily in their cornerback position over the past two years, adding free agents Paulson Adebo and Greg Newsome while selecting Colton Hood with the 37th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Dixon’s inclusion as an undrafted free agent was seen as a strategic move to bolster depth, but the Achilles injury now threatens his ability to compete for a roster spot. With the team’s stacked cornerback group, Dixon would have faced an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster even before the injury.#north_carolina #new_york_giants #bill_belichick #thaddeus_dixon #new_york_giants_defensive_coordinator
Patriots Trading Marte Mapu to Texans in Late-Round Pick Swap The New England Patriots have finalized a trade that sends linebacker Marte Mapu to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick, according to reports from the Houston Chronicle. The deal marks the conclusion of Mapu’s three-year tenure with the Patriots, who initially planned to release him before the Texans presented a trade offer. The move comes as the Patriots seek to bolster depth at the linebacker position, which has seen several departures this offseason. Mapu, a 2023 third-round draft pick, was acquired by the Patriots as part of Bill Belichick’s final draft class. During his time with the team, he played both linebacker and safety roles, adapting to Mike Vrabel’s new defensive scheme. His career with the Patriots included 44 games, with 10 starts, and he recorded 89 tackles, three interceptions, 0.5 sacks, one quarterback hit, and 12 pass breakups. Mapu, 26, began his Patriots career as a safety before transitioning to linebacker in 2025, primarily playing on third-down passing situations. He was expected to earn $1.5 million in 2026. The trade leaves the Patriots with a mix of veteran and younger linebackers, including Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Chad Muma, Amari Gainer, and Otis Reese. The team also cut linebacker Jahlani Tavai this offseason and allowed Jack Gibbens to leave via free agency to the Arizona Cardinals. This decision reflects the Patriots’ ongoing efforts to refine their linebacker corps, which has faced challenges in maintaining consistency and depth. Mapu’s departure signals the end of his time with the Patriots, who had previously considered releasing him before the trade.#new_england_patriots #mike_vrabel #houston_texans #bill_belichick #martes_mapu
Patriots Trade Marte Mapu to Texans in Move for 2026 Draft Depth The New England Patriots have finalized a trade that ends Marte Mapu’s three-year tenure with the team, sending the linebacker and safety to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick. The deal, confirmed by league sources, marks the conclusion of a controversial experiment that began when the Patriots selected Mapu in the third round (76th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Mapu, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound player from Sacramento State, was chosen for his versatility as a hybrid safety-linebacker, a role that did not align with the traditional linebacker preferences of former head coach Bill Belichick. Mapu’s selection was seen as an unconventional move, given his size—lighter than most linebackers Belichick typically favored but heavier than the safeties he often targeted. The Patriots hoped his athleticism and ability to make tackles would translate into success in a newer role, particularly as a nickel defender in schemes featuring five defensive backs. However, three years and three coaching regimes later, the team has decided to move on from Mapu, citing a lack of depth at the linebacker position and the player’s salary not aligning with his projected role in 2026. The trade came after the Patriots had already informed Mapu of their intention to release him, according to league sources. Mapu, entering the final year of his contract, was set to earn a base salary of $1.508 million. While another team could potentially offer a conditional late-round draft pick for his services, the Patriots’ decision to trade him rather than cut him loose reflects their assessment of his value. The move also underscores the team’s focus on building depth for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place from April 23 to 25.#new_england_patriots #houston_texans #jerod_mayo #bill_belichick #marte_mapu
Who's next at UNC? Potential candidates to replace Hubert Davis, their priorities Hubert Davis has been dismissed as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, just five days after the team’s devastating loss to 11-seed VCU in the NCAA tournament. The firing marks the end of Davis’ five-year tenure at Chapel Hill, which included a national championship game appearance in 2022 and an ACC regular-season title in 2024. Davis, who had been on the hot seat after a 24-8 season and a loss to Duke in February, faced mounting pressure following the collapse against VCU, where the Tar Heels surrendered a 19-point lead in the second half. The decision came despite the team’s struggles with star forward Caleb Wilson’s season-ending injury, which had initially seemed to secure Davis’ position. The search for Davis’ successor will involve navigating several challenges. Athletic director Bubba Cunningham is set to leave his role this summer, with Steve Newmark, a former NASCAR executive, expected to take over. The department also faces decisions about whether to renovate the Dean Smith Center or relocate the basketball program. Meanwhile, the football team, led by Bill Belichick, is receiving significant resources and attention, which could influence the coaching search. Industry insiders suggest that North Carolina remains an elite destination for head coaches, with its rich history, tradition, and facilities. However, the current landscape is more complex than when Roy Williams retired in 2021. While the job is still considered one of the best in college basketball, the team’s recent struggles and administrative changes may affect its appeal. Potential candidates for the position include Billy Donovan, who has not coached at the college level since 2015 but led Florida to two national championships.#hubert_davis #north_carolina_tar_heels #bubba_cunningham #steve_newmark #bill_belichick
