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

College football had a few key matchups in its Week 0 kickoff Saturday. One of those featured the UNC Tar Heels and TCU Horned Frogs squaring off across the pond in Ireland. TCU were big favorites over UNC as the doubt surrounding 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 a 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 no chance to being in a bowl game to now being in a position. And I think that is the litmus test for him this year.”

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 Monday, January 13, 2020. Pregame Fans Clemson Lsu Football Cfp National Championship New Orleans Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Change of fortunes or overreaction?

To Belichick’s credit, it is hard to change Finebaum’s opinion. He is notoriously known 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 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.

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 Credit: 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.

UNC will face Clemson and Notre Dame in back-to-back games soon. If Belichick wants to prove he “still has it,” he needs to beat one or both of those opponents.

Then everyone will believe it.

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