North Carolina beat TCU 15–10 on August 29 in Dublin after a tied first quarter gave way to a defensive game. A second-quarter safety put the Tar Heels ahead, and a third-quarter field goal completed the scoring.
The result turned on Carolina's ability to end drives. UNC's defense recovered a fumble and stopped TCU on fourth down three times, including two second-half stands inside the Carolina 10-yard line. TCU did not score after taking a 10–3 lead in the first quarter.
Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 232 yards in his North Carolina debut. Jelani Thurman led the Tar Heels with 94 receiving yards. TCU's Jeremy Payne ran for 142 yards, but the Horned Frogs finished with 281 total yards and could not add to their early ten points.