Paul Finebaum says he was wrong; Bill Belichick ‘still has it’

Paul Finebaum says he was wrong; Bill Belichick ‘still has it’

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Paul Finebaum says he was wrong; Bill Belichick ‘still has it’

College football offered up a few key matchups in its Week 0 kickoff on Saturday, Aug. 29. One of those featured the North Carolina Tar Heels and TCU Horned Frogs squaring off across the pond in Ireland. TCU was a big favorite over UNC as the doubt surrounding Heels head coach Bill Belichick continued to grow.

However, UNC stunned the college football world by smothering TCU and coming away with a 15-10 victory. It certainly wasn’t a pretty win, but it provided massive relief for Belichick, who has to be feeling the heat from the media.

One of those applying the most pressure has been none other than Paul Finebaum. ESPN’s most prominent college football analyst has been highly critical of Belichick. On Monday, though, he surprised many with a change of tune.

MORE: College Football risers & fallers after Week 0

“He proved that he still has it. I, and many others, were wrong,” Finebaum said on “Get Up.” “He went from having no chance to get to a bowl game to now being in a position. And I think that is the litmus test for him this year.”

Change of fortunes or overreaction?

Paul Finebaum, radio and ESPN television personality, gets ready to speak on television near activities outside the Superdome,

Paul Finebaum, radio and ESPN television personality, gets ready to speak on television near activities outside the Superdome before of the College Football Playoff National Championship game in New Orleans in 2020. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

To Belichick’s credit, it is hard to change Finebaum’s opinion. He is notorious for sticking to his stance and refusing to budge, even when the evidence overwhelms his position.

However, does Belichick really “still have it,” or was this simply an ugly win? Chances are Belichick might be finding his groove in college football, but he still has plenty of work to do.

Finebaum also pointed out that the ACC is pretty weak, and NC State’s Saturday performance in a 34-8 loss to Virginia only made the conference look weaker. There’s a serious chance UNC can compete for a bowl game this season.

MORE: What does UNC Tar Heels week zero win mean for Bill Belichick?

Will the Tar Heels be College Football Playoff contenders? Probably not, and Finebaum will likely not shift from that stance.

NCAA Football: North Carolina at Texas Christian

Aug 29, 2026; Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick celebrates with the Coach’s Award after the game at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Laszlo Geczo-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

However, it was still a pleasant surprise for Tar Heel fans to see Belichick’s squad pull off an upset in Ireland. For those who made the trip, the victory makes it much easier to justify the cost of attendance.

After a Sept. 12 home game against East Tennessee State, UNC will face Clemson and Notre Dame in back-to-back games. If Belichick wants to prove he “still has it,” he needs to beat one or both of those opponents.

Then everyone will believe.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos