The final game on the Week 1 slate features the Horned Frogs and the Tar Heels at 8:00 PM ET on Monday. SBR's Mike Spector breaks down the matchup in his TCU vs North Carolina predictions:
TCU -3.5 (-110 BetMGM)
"Only the second head coach to win a Super Bowl and then coach at the college level, nobody can doubt Belichick’s resume. But his influence on a roster that features 70 new players will take more time, which makes me wonder why the Horned Frogs are such a short betting favorite.
TCU is a bona fide Big 12 contender after winning six of its final seven games last season. It has the edge at quarterback, with Hoover returning after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns.
For UNC, signal caller Gio Lopez’s biggest strength is his legs, but his ability might be offset by a rebuilt offensive line that will need time to gel."
Josh Hoover longest pass completion Over 42.5 yards (-115 bet365)
"While Hoover should have the TCU offense humming early with his top receiver, Eric McAlister, back, he also has big-play threat and Idaho transfer, Jordan Dwyer, at his disposal. He topped 1,000 yards last season and added 12 touchdowns.
I expect the Horned Frogs to take deep shots early and often with their vertical passing game against a Tar Heels defense that ranked outside the top 45 in passing defense success rate last season.
While Hoover should have the TCU offense humming early with his top receiver, Eric McAlister, back, he also has big-play threat and Idaho transfer, Jordan Dwyer, at his disposal. He topped 1,000 yards last season and added 12 touchdowns.
I expect the Horned Frogs to take deep shots early and often with their vertical passing game against a Tar Heels defense that ranked outside the top 45 in passing defense success rate last season."
Who are you taking tonight? Share your pick below.
TCU -3.5 (-110 BetMGM)
"Only the second head coach to win a Super Bowl and then coach at the college level, nobody can doubt Belichick’s resume. But his influence on a roster that features 70 new players will take more time, which makes me wonder why the Horned Frogs are such a short betting favorite.
TCU is a bona fide Big 12 contender after winning six of its final seven games last season. It has the edge at quarterback, with Hoover returning after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 27 touchdowns.
For UNC, signal caller Gio Lopez’s biggest strength is his legs, but his ability might be offset by a rebuilt offensive line that will need time to gel."
Josh Hoover longest pass completion Over 42.5 yards (-115 bet365)
"While Hoover should have the TCU offense humming early with his top receiver, Eric McAlister, back, he also has big-play threat and Idaho transfer, Jordan Dwyer, at his disposal. He topped 1,000 yards last season and added 12 touchdowns.
I expect the Horned Frogs to take deep shots early and often with their vertical passing game against a Tar Heels defense that ranked outside the top 45 in passing defense success rate last season.
While Hoover should have the TCU offense humming early with his top receiver, Eric McAlister, back, he also has big-play threat and Idaho transfer, Jordan Dwyer, at his disposal. He topped 1,000 yards last season and added 12 touchdowns.
I expect the Horned Frogs to take deep shots early and often with their vertical passing game against a Tar Heels defense that ranked outside the top 45 in passing defense success rate last season."
Who are you taking tonight? Share your pick below.