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Five games into the 2025 season, things aren’t going how Bill Belichick might have hoped. Can a West Coast trip help turn around the North Carolina Tar Heels‘ season?
Entering Friday night’s Week 8 ACC matchup between UNC (2-3) and Cal (4-2), Belichick’s squad is on a two-game losing streak, including a defeat to open conference play vs. the Clemson Tigers. Buyout talks have already picked up surrounding Belichick as his team has struggled — which he and UNC have shot down — but a matchup against a solid Golden Bears squad will give the Tar Heels a chance to gain some momentum.
UNC has ranked among the worst offensive teams in college football this season, but quarterback Gio Lopez is also likely to make a return to play in Week 8 after missing an Oct. 4 matchup against Clemson. With Lopez back on the field and the Tar Heels coming off a bye, UNC is set to travel for its furthest regular season matchup (2,805 miles) since playing at Cal in 2018, per 247Sports.
The Golden Bears, led by quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, enter Friday night seventh in the ACC standings, with wins over Oregon State, Texas Southern, Minnesota and Boston College. After going 6-7 in 2024, Cal is attempting to have its first winning season since 2019, when it was a member of the Pac 12.
UNC and Cal have met just once in college football, which came in 2018. What’s in store Friday night, when Belichick’s unit travels for its first road ACC game?
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from UNC vs. Cal in Week 8 of the 2025 college football season. Follow along with the action below.
STREAM: Watch UNC vs. Cal live from Fubo (free trial)
UNC vs. Cal football score
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UNC vs. Cal live updates, highlights from Week 8 college football game
All times Eastern. Updates will be provided closer to kickoff.
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Where to watch UNC vs. Cal football
UNC vs. Cal start time
- Date: Friday, Oct. 17
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT
The Tar Heels and Golden Bears will go head-to-head on Friday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET, which will be 7:30 p.m. local time at California Memorial Stadium.
What channel is UNC vs. Cal on today?
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Fubo, ESPN+
ESPN will have the call for UNC vs. Cal matchup on Friday night. Cord-cutters can follow the action on ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
MORE: Why Bill Belichick banned Patriots scouts from UNC
UNC football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at UNC’s 2025 schedule.
| Date | Game | Time (ET)/Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 1 | vs. TCU | L, 48-14 |
| Sept. 6 | at Charlotte | W, 20-3 |
| Sept. 13 | vs. Richmond | W, 41-6 |
| Sept. 20 | at UCF | L, 34-9 |
| Oct. 4 | vs. Clemson | L, 38-10 |
| Oct. 17 | at California | 10:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 25 | vs. Virginia | TBD |
| Oct. 31 | at Syracuse | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | vs. Stanford | TBD |
| Nov. 15 | at Wake Forest | TBD |
| Nov. 22 | vs. Duke | TBD |
| Nov. 29 | at NC State | TBD |
Cal football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at Cal’s 2025 schedule.
| Date | Game | Time (ET)/Result |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 30 | at Oregon State | W, 34-15 |
| Sept. 6 | vs. Texas Southern | W, 35-3 |
| Sept. 13 | vs. Minnesota | W, 27-14 |
| Sept. 20 | at San Diego State | L, 34-0 |
| Sept. 27 | at Boston College | W, 28-24 |
| Oct. 4 | vs. Duke | L, 45-21 |
| Oct. 17 | vs. North Carolina | 10:30 p.m |
| Oct. 24 | at Virginia Tech | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Virginia | TBD |
| Nov. 8 | at Louisville | TBD |
| Nov. 22 | at Stanford | TBD |
| Nov. 29 | vs. SMU | TBD |