The state of North Carolina is under a national spotlight this week, as UNC and NC State welcomes college football back to millions of households across America.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of an electric weekend of college football for fans across the Triangle:
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North Carolina vs. TCU
While a framework for future success was put in place, the Tar Heels struggled to put wins in place in year one of the Bill Belichick era.
Despite a season of ups and downs in 2025, the Tar Heels are put in a big spotlight, opening up the entire 2026 football season with an international game in Ireland.
UNC also gets its opportunity to avenge a loss to the Horned Frogs one season ago, losing that game 48-14 at home.
The Tar Heels haven’t been able to avoid off-field issues. North Carolina enters the season opener without its general manager Michael Lombardi, who is on paid administrative leave amid an internal investigation, and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, who is on medical leave.
Records: UNC (4-8 last season); TCU (9-4 last season)
What: Aer Lingus College Football Classic
Where: Aviva Stadium (capacity 51,711), Dublin, Ireland
When: Noon, Saturday, Aug. 29
TV: ESPN
NC State vs. Virginia
The Wolfpack are coming off a strong 2025 season, where the team finished 8-5, winning its first bowl game since 2017. They begin their season with a difficult in-conference test as they take on the 2025 ACC runner-up.
As Dave Doeren's tenure as head coach of the Wolfpack has proven to be consistent, fans eye returning QB CJ Bailey as an X-Factor for the roster to take the next big step forward.
Like UNC's matchup with TCU, this is a highly-anticipated rematch from last season, where the Wolfpack took down the Cavaliers, 35-31.
Also like the Tar Heels, this game was initially set to be apart of an international doubleheader.
The matchup, branded as “College Football Brasil,” was originally set for Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and would have been the first FBS game ever played in South America. The venue was since moved back stateside, as the Wolfpack travels to Charlottesville, VA.
With a strong roster on paper and an ACC schedule that avoids several perennial juggernauts, excitement grows amongst the NC State fanbase, as the Wolfpack kicks off a promising season on Saturday.
Records: NC State (8-5 last season); Virginia (11-3 last season)
Where: Scott Stadium (capacity 61,500), Charlottesville, VA
When: 3:30 PM , Saturday, Aug. 29
TV: ESPN
