The fans tuned in for Bill Belichick.

The scouts came for TCU.

And the game showed that watching the Frog Horns’ talent was the right call.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel noted how the Tar Heels had a “talent deficit” and that NFL talent evaluators came to watch TCU during Monday’s 48-14 beatdown in Chapel Hill, N.C., in coach Bill Belichick’s college debut.

North Carolina scored on its first drive before TCU scored the next 41 points to turn a hyped event into a laughingstock.

“UNC has a talent deficit. There’s more than 20 NFL scouts from 14 teams here, but not many Heels for them to watch,” Thamel wrote in a quote tweet at 9:35 p.m. ET that featured a video of him discussing the scouts in attendance.

“One told me pregame that this game loomed as a huge opportunity for TCU’s Josh Hoover against Belichick family defense. Hoover has been impressive so far.”

UNC has a talent deficit. There’s more than 20 NFL scouts from 14 teams here, but not many Heels for them to watch. One told me pregame that this game loomed as a huge opportunity for TCU’s Josh Hoover against Belichick family defense. Hoover has been impressive so far. pic.twitter.com/3hf78pWFTX

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 2, 2025

Pete Thamel discussing UNC. @PeteThamel/X

Plenty of stars traveled to North Carolina to watch Monday’s game, including Tar Heels luminaries Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm and Lawrence Taylor — and all the buzz focused on North Carolina.

Even TCU coach Sonny Dykes said after the game how his team felt a “little disrespected” since “none” of the talk entering the game focused on the Horned Frogs.

Yet, for all the chatter about MJ, LT and Jordon Hudson, the reality is that North Carolina may have a great coach, but that doesn’t mean it has the talent to match.

Thamel noted in his pregame hit that plenty of scouts came to the game since Belichick had been “really restrictive” with NFL talent evaluators, including empty depth charts for Monday’s game.

Bill Belichick’s UNC debut did not go well. Getty Images

“A lot of (the scouts) are walking around tonight with big smiles on their faces as they’re trying to decode who to look at,” Thamel said.

The ESPN reporter said only two North Carolina players are “likely” to hear their names called in the 2026 NFL Draft: cornerbacks Thaddeus Dixon and Marcus Allen.

“Dixon may be considered a fringe top-100 prospect, but if Bill Belichick wants to build UNC into the 33rd team, as he stated, they have a long way to go from a pure talent perspective,” Thamel said.

UNC looked pristine on its opening drive, but the rest of the night turned into a disaster with the more-talented team having its way.

TCU QB Josh Hoover had a strong night. Getty Images

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez completed just four of 10 passes for 69 yards with one interception, while Hoover dissected Steve Belichick’s defense.

He completed 27 of 36 passes for 284 yards while tossing two touchdowns to one interception.

Belichick will try to win his first game next week at Charlotte. Getty Images

North Carolina should have the talent advantage, though, this Saturday when it visits Charlotte.