Starting in 2026, ACC programs will be required to play nine conference games and at least one additional Power Four opponent. It will bring each team to a minimum of 10 games against Power Four competition. Bill Belichick’s North Carolina has wasted no time adapting to the ACC’s new landscape. They have opted to cancel one of their easier non-conference matchups to comply with the enhanced scheduling requirements.
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The Tar Heels’ revised 2026 schedule was detailed by reporter Brian Murphy. According to Murphy’s breakdown, UNC will open the season against TCU in Ireland before hosting Notre Dame. They also have home games against Louisville, Miami, NC State, and Syracuse. Road contests include matchups at UConn, plus trips to Clemson, Duke, Pitt, and Virginia. Notably absent from the schedule is the previously planned home game against ETSU on September 12. It has been cancelled to make room for an additional ACC conference game.

The ETSU Buccaneers, an FCS program from the Southern Conference, would have provided one of Carolina’s softer non-conference tests. But the new ACC regulations have forced the Tar Heels to eliminate that matchup in favor of tougher Power Four competition.​

The ACC’s scheduling overhaul is a strategic effort to strengthen the conference’s competitive profile. They have to align with the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12, all of which already operate or are transitioning to nine-game conference schedules. The decision came after the SEC announced its own move to nine conference games last August, creating pressure on the ACC to follow suit.

The motive behind 10 Power Four opponents annually is two-fold. On one hand, the ACC aims to bolster its teams’ resumes for College Football Playoff consideration. But more importantly, they want to potentially increase television revenue through more marquee matchups.

Implementation of the nine-game model also has some unique challenges for the ACC. That’s because it has 17 football-playing members, an odd number that complicates balanced scheduling. According to reports, most teams will operate under a “9+1” model (nine conference games plus one additional Power Four opponent). But some programs may initially need to play an “8+2” schedule to accommodate the uneven membership.

ACC Commissioner James J. Phillips knows about these complexities. He said, “There will be additional discussions and more details to be determined, but today’s decision showcases the commitment and leadership of our ADs in balancing what is best for strengthening the conference and for their respective programs.”

For North Carolina specifically, the scheduling adjustment means sacrificing an easy home game. The game against ETSU would have provided tune-up opportunities for Bill Belichick’s squad. This season, Carolina scheduled TCU and UCF from the Big 12 as Power Four opponents.

The Ireland game against TCU and the home matchup with Notre Dame ensure UNC will meet the 10 Power Four games threshold in 2026. But the loss of the ETSU contest eliminates what would have been an easy win and an opportunity for younger players to gain experience.​

Belichick faces Duke rivalry for the first time

Bill Belichick’s first crack at the UNC-Duke rivalry comes with an opponent he clearly respects. And it is especially true when it comes to Duke quarterback Darian Mensah. The legendary coach spoke highly about the Blue Devils’ signal-caller. He called him “the best quarterback we’ve faced.”

Belichick watched Mensah play in person last year at Tulane and came away impressed. But the more film he studied leading up to Saturday’s matchup, the more he saw an NFL-caliber prospect. “He’s got great presence in the pocket. He does an excellent job of seeing coverages, seeing receivers, accurate down the field,” Belichick said during his weekly press conference.

What stood out most to the six-time Super Bowl champion was Mensah’s understanding of when to use his legs. He can extend plays and avoid the rush, but he’s not trying to be a running back. That discipline and football IQ is combined with 3007 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this season on 67% completion. He is also one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in college football and Duke’s biggest weapon.​

The rivalry game holds personal significance for Belichick, who claims his first words as a toddler were “Beat Duke” when his father, Steve, was an assistant coach at Carolina in the 1950s. Unfortunately for the Belichick family, UNC went 0-3 against Duke during Steve’s tenure. Now Bill gets his chance to settle that old family score, though it won’t be easy against a Duke offense.