Friday night under the lights in Berkeley will mark another pivotal test for Bill Belichick’s North Carolina squad, as the Tar Heels travel west to face Cal at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN.
Belichick, who continues to emphasize patience and process over panic, sounded composed but firm when previewing the matchup. “We’re really turning our focus full speed ahead here towards Cal,” he said. “This is a program that has some similarities to us. Certainly, I coached against and worked with Coach Rivera, Ron Rivera. up here as a general manager. Coach Wilcox is a very good defensive coach. They do an excellent job and they’ve had some impressive games this year.”
Cal enters at 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the ACC, coming off a loss to Duke before their bye week. The Bears are led by freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who has thrown for 1,487 yards, nine touchdowns, and seven interceptions. “Saga at quarterback is having a good year as a freshman,” Belichick noted. “They’ve got big receivers, and (Jacob) De Jesus is an explosive returner and kind of slot receiver, he does a lot of things for them.”
North Carolina (2-3, 0-1 ACC) is still evaluating its own quarterback situation. Gio Lopez opened the season as the starter before suffering a right leg injury against UCF, while Max Johnson, the senior transfer from Texas A&M and LSU, started the last game versus Clemson.
For what it’s worth, UNC’s depth chart does list Lopez as the projected starter this evening.
Expect #UNC to start Gio Lopez at QB against Cal tonight. pic.twitter.com/vRViRN5dbz
— Grant Chachere (Sash-Er-Ray) (@ChachereGrant) October 17, 2025
More: Matt Rhule shuts down Penn State speculation
Belichick understands the stakes and the challenge of a cross-country trip. “It’s a big challenge for us going across the country to play a good football team, a team that I know is very well-coached,” he said. “They do a lot of things fundamentally well that we have to be ready for.”
More college football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Bill Belichick and UNC documentary reportedly being shopped after Hulu pulls plug
- Eight college football stadiums to host Savannah Bananas in 2026
- Bill Belichick buyout, contract details as North Carolina Tar Heels coach