North Carolina's portal losses leave them vulnerable
40,000 simulated games from the drive-level engine. Each bar is the share of sims landing in that final-margin range. Taller toward TCU = TCU more likely.
TCU is favored due to North Carolina's significant losses in the transfer portal, which have left the Tar Heels with a near-total rebuild. The departure of key players like D'Antre Robinson and William Boone has gutted the defense, making it difficult for North Carolina to project its season with any certainty.
| Likely starter | Why we project him | |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | Taron Dickens (from Western Carolina) | Transfer projection — +0.17 career EPA/play, no FBS snaps yet |
| TCU | Jaden Craig (from Harvard) | Transfer projection — +0.21 career EPA/play, no FBS snaps yet |
Both TCU and North Carolina have unproven quarterbacks, with Taron Dickens and Jaden Craig being projected starters. The lack of established production at the quarterback position adds uncertainty to both teams' offenses.
| Player | Last season | |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | Demon June (RB) | +0.14 EPA/play, 28% rush share |
| North Carolina | Benjamin Hall (RB) | -0.04 EPA/play, 22% rush share |
| North Carolina | Jordan Shipp (WR) | +0.52 EPA/play, 22% target share |
| TCU | Kevorian Barnes (RB) | +0.01 EPA/play, 48% rush share |
| TCU | Jeremy Payne (RB) | +0.22 EPA/play, 30% rush share |
| TCU | Eric McAlister (WR) | +0.72 EPA/play, 23% target share |
TCU returns disruptors like Jamel Johnson and Vernon Glover, who will look to exploit North Carolina's rebuilt defense. The Horned Frogs' defense, which ranked 42nd in rushing defense last season, will face a North Carolina rushing offense that ranked 128th.
Each unit crossing from last season's opponent-adjusted PPA, in standard deviations. Bars toward TCU (green) are battles it should win; the other way (red) favor North Carolina. Larger = more decisive. Last-season proxy — heavy roster turnover loosens it.
North Carolina's best chance to cover or upset is to establish a strong rushing game, which could neutralize TCU's pass rush and give the Tar Heels' offense a chance to settle in. Jordan Shipp's presence on the outside could also provide a spark for the offense.
How we grade the gap between these rosters, factor by factor, in points. Bars toward TCU are where it's the stronger team; bars the other way are where North Carolina closes ground. They sum to our TCU by 14 projection.
For TCU to win, it needs to establish its passing game early and often, taking advantage of North Carolina's vulnerable defense. The Horned Frogs' offense, which ranked 18th in passing last season, will face a North Carolina pass defense that ranked 49th. If TCU can get its passing game going, it should be able to control the tempo of the game and come out on top.
Gridpex's desks are model-driven, AI-assisted columns. Every figure is generated from our own data and ratings — not invented. We don't fabricate reporters, quotes, or sources. Published Wed, Aug 26, 2026 · game-engine:deep-preview.
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