Sep 13, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

One of the most anticipated seasons in North Carolina football history is teetering toward disaster, with the Tar Heels at 2-3 in their first season under NFL legend Bill Belichick, including an 0-1 start in ACC play.

This week, they will have a chance to try to inject some positivity in the overwhelmingly negative narrative surrounding the program.

Stream North Carolina vs. Cal football live on Fubo (free trial)

After losing their first three games against Power Four conference opponents by a combined score of 120-33, the Tar Heels will head west to take on ACC foe Cal (4-2, 1-1) on Friday, Oct. 17 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California.

Despite losing key offensive pieces in quarterback Fernando Mendoza (to Indiana) and running back Jaydn Ott (to Oklahoma), the Golden Bears have been a pleasant surprise thus far. Perhaps the biggest factor in that encouraging start has been freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a top-100 recruit in the 2025 class who has thrown for 1,487 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

This will be the third all-time matchup between the two, with Cal winning both games of a home-and-home series in 2017 and 2018. Here's how to watch North Carolina's game against Cal, including time, TV schedule, live streaming info and game odds:

What TV channel is North Carolina vs Cal on today?

  • TV: ESPN
  • Streaming: ESPN App | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

North Carolina vs. Cal will air nationally on ESPN in Week 8 of the 2025 college football season from the California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Anish Shroff (play-by-play) and former Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware (analyst) will call the game while Paul Carcaterra will report from the sideline.

Streaming options include the ESPN App, which requires a valid cable login to access; ESPN+, ESPN's subscription streaming service; and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

North Carolina vs Cal time today

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 17
  • Time: 10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT

The Week 8 matchup between the Tar Heels and Golden Bears is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT) on Friday, Oct. 17.

North Carolina vs Cal predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Oct. 15:

  • Spread: Cal (-10)
  • Over/under: 47.5
  • Moneyline: Cal -400 ∣ North Carolina +310

Prediction: Cal 34, North Carolina 13

The Tar Heels have yet to get within 25 points of a power conference opponent this season, will be playing three hours behind their body clocks and will be tasked with trying to stop one of the best young quarterbacks in college football. Beyond all of that, they should like their chances.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to watch North Carolina vs Cal today: Time, TV channel for Week 8 game

Reporting by Craig Meyer, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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