Two programs that entered the 2025 season with vastly different expectations found themselves in identical positions on Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill. Clemson, once ranked No. 4 in preseason polls, had collapsed to 1-3 and unranked, searching desperately for answers after its worst start in over a decade. UNC, under first-year head coach Bill Belichick, stood at 2-2 with wins only against FCS opponents Richmond and Charlotte, sandwiched between blowout losses to TCU (48-14) and UCF (34-9). Both programs were limping, and both coaches were under the wrath of fans. And both of them need a win to salvage whatever has remained of their season.

But for one coach, it could not have been any worse. And it’s Bill Belichick. Just 11 seconds into the game, Belichick, who is hailed for his defen

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