Ranking The 5 Toughest Games On Bill Belichick's First College Football Season

12/12/2024 07:13 PM

It's a new era for the North Carolina football program now that Bill Belichick is the head coach.

Belichick accepted the job on Wednesday before he was formally introduced to the UNC media on Thursday. He agreed to a five-year deal to be UNC's head coach. 

Even though he won't be on the sideline for a little over eight months, it's never too early to look at the five toughest games on UNC's schedule for next year. 

Let's take a look:

5: TCU Horned Frogs

Belichick's first game will be at home against a TCU team that finished the 2024 regular season with an 8-4 record. It was a much better year for the Horned Frogs after they only won five games last year. Sonny Dykes has done a great job with this program in the three years that he has been at the helm and will have his players ready for this one. 

The Horned Frogs will end the 2024 season in the New Mexico Bowl against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. 

4: NC State Wolfpack

This is a big rivalry game each year for the Tar Heels. These two schools do not like each other and the Wolfpack will be hosting the Tar Heels at some point during the season.

The Wolfpack finished this regular season with a 6-6 record, a big step down from last year when they won nine games. Knowing Dave Doeren, he'll have his team better for next year, which makes this a tough matchup for the Tar Heels. 

3: Syracuse Orange

It's always tough to play in the Carrier Dome and that's exactly what the Tar Heels will have to do next season. The Orange had a great first season under head coach Fran Brown, winning nine games and making the Holiday Bowl against the Washington State Cougars.

They also knocked the Miami Hurricanes out of the ACC title race during the final week of the regular season. 

This should be quite the game in the Dome. 

2: Duke Blue Devils

The Tar Heels will host another one of their biggest rivals in the Duke Blue Devils but this will still be a tough game. 

Manny Diaz did a great job with this program in his first season as head coach in 2024, winning nine games and getting to the Gator Bowl against the Ole Miss Rebels.

With the talent that the Blue Devils have coming back, this will be a tough game for Belichick's Tar Heels. 

1: Clemson Tigers

This one is pretty obvious since the Tigers just won the ACC Championship and qualified for the College Football Playoff. 

Dabo Swinney is an excellent recruiter and will also have a lot of talent returning for the 2025 season. They'll be a top favorite to win the conference yet again.

Related: Bill Belichick Has Already Hired A GM For UNC's Football Program