REVENGE: Tar Heels Seek REDEMPTION as UNC / TCU Kick Off 2026 Football Season in Dublin

TCU and North Carolina kick off college football season in Dublin, but with new quarterbacks and overhauled coaching staffs, both teams enter as mysteries. Will Jaden Craig finally give the Horned Frogs a dynamic running threat under center, or can Billy Edwards Jr. steady the Tar Heels’ offense under Bobby Petrino’s guidance? Jeremy Payne’s breakout potential at running back and Gil Jackson’s role in the secondary provide plenty for fans to watch, while questions swirl around both squads’ defensive lines and linebacker units. Isaac Schade and Darrion Gray break down major unknowns including secretive depth charts, scheme changes, and the impact of playing on a different continent. Predictions fly as they debate whether TCU’s 7.5-point edge will hold, and what’s at stake for Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels facing a tougher schedule. With week 0 intrigue, upset potential, and roster uncertainty, this matchup sets the tone for the season ahead.   PHOTO CREDIT: Bob Donnan - Imagn Images Join the Locked On Tar Heels Everydayer Club!! If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: Locked On Tar Heels Everydayers Club! Locked On Tar Heels Discord: https://discord.gg/EyjXvMPAeV Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…   🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-tar-heels/ Locked On Tar Heels (TikTok)Locked On Tar Heels (Twitter) Locked On Tar Heels (Instagram) Isaac Schade (TikTok)Isaac Schade (Twitter)   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10. .   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less.  Wayfair. Every style. Every home.   LARINECO Give Larine a try. Right now, Larine Co is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://BUYLARINE.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE.   OdooGreat organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https:/5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.  FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.