The Bill Belichick Era at North Carolina begins on Monday, Sept. 1, with a showdown with TCU.
It is anybody’s guess how UNC’s gamble, hiring the six-time Super Bowl champion to coach in the college ranks for the first time, will work out, but it should be entertaining.
As for the betting market, it is skeptical that Belichick will be able to find success with the Tar Heels in Year 1.
The Tar Heels are 35/1 outsiders to win the ACC, and they’re win total currently sits at 7.5 with heavy juice on the under.
According to BetMGM, UNC was the third-most bet under team (behind Colorado and Michigan) at their sportsbook this summer.
North Carolina Tar Heels 2025 odds
| National Title Odds | Odds to win ACC | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|
| 400/1 | 35/1 | 7.5 (+140/-170) |
As you’d expect, sportsbooks did slash UNC’s numbers across the board when it was announced that Belichick would take over the program.
Oftentimes, a high-profile move, like Belichick’s hire, follows a similar pattern with the bookies. They immediately cut the team’s odds to protect themselves against an onslaught of excitable bettors piling in, and then sharp money will buy back against that move, which eventually pushes the number into the appropriate range.
The reasons for skepticism are pretty obvious. The Tar Heels finished 6-7 last season and have undergone a massive amount of change both on the field and off, and nobody has any idea if Belichick can coach at this level. It could be a gimmick.
Or, it could work.
The reasons for optimism are also pretty obvious. Belichick is a six-time Super Bowl champion, and will go down as one of the best coaches in the history of the sport. There’s every chance that he can bring what worked with the New England Patriots with him to Chapel Hill.
Belichick could also have found a diamond in the rough with quarterback Gio Lopez.
The late transfer from South Alabama was superb in 2024, accounting for 25 touchdowns (18 passing, seven rushing), and throwing for 2,559 yards.
If Lopez brings those numbers with him to UNC, the offense should buzz, and then it will be up to Belichick and his son, Steve, to get the defense up to speed.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
