This is a call I have been dreading to make.
Michael Lombardi’s unmistakable voice was on the line.
On this particular day last December, there were strong indications that Bill Belichick was ready to take the North Carolina coaching job. I knew Bill and Michael were close, having worked together in Cleveland and New England.
But Michael, a regular VSiN host since the fall of 2018 when we opened a studio at the Ocean in Atlantic City, always indicated he wasn’t interested in getting back in the game.
That would end with this call. He was quitting VSiN to join Belichick at Chapel Hill as the football program’s GM.
Tonight, we will get a look at the first fruits of his labor with Belichick.
VSiN.com senior editor Zach Cohen previews TCU (-3.5) at North Carolina (8 ET, ESPN).
The atmosphere in Chapel Hill is going to be electric in a Monday night debut for the GOAT, but there’s a lot of uncertainty with this team in Year 1. I wouldn’t put it past Belichick to find a way to put things together, but it’s unlikely it’ll happen right out the gate.
This game qualifies under Steve Makinen’s stability score system. TCU rated a 17 while the complete makeover leaves North Carolina with a 2.
UNC is expected to be new almost everywhere, new at about half of the starting positions, new schemes, new coaches and even a new playing surface on their field, as Belichick opted to return to a grass surface to aid what figures to be a power rushing attack. The Horned Frogs come back loaded with 13 starters returning from their 9-4 team of a season ago, including 3,900+ yard passer Josh Hoover.
But as Michael might say, you should want a lot of change after your team goes 6-7.
Josh Appelbaum, a frequent guest on Lombardi Line, is looking forward to posting his CFB Sharp Report later this morning.
Check for updates on CFB picks page — but you have to be a VSiN Pro subscriber.
Week 2 will be up on us before you know it.
Adam Burke has two stories: He surfaces some of the line moves and adjusts his power ratings based on the Week 1 results. (He has a few games that might interest you based on his own lines.)
NFL Week 1 line moves
We kick off our NFL Week 1 coverage with Adam Burke’s piece on the line movement for the opening games.
The lines have been up since May, so lots of time to settle. But as Adam points out, the big money will start rolling in this week.
Which lines will move? Read more from Adam.
The updated VSiN NFL Betting Guide is out and ready for download here for VSiN Pro subscribers. The 42-page PDF includes new Best Bets now that training camps have concluded. Not a VSiN Pro subscriber? Find a package that works for you.
Quick Hits
MLB: Greg Peterson has Best Bets for today’s MLB menu. Steve Makinen and Adam Burke will post their daily contributions later this morning.
U.S. Open: VSiN tennis analyst Zach Cohen has three plays for today’s matches. Zach will post additional picks on our tennis picks page if he spots a play or two during the day. Gill Alexander will send me any picks he has for the page late at night. Gill has three for today.
Contest Corner: As of late Sunday night, here are the signup numbers for Circa’s football contests — Million 4,203; Survivor 13,593; Grandissimo 39. The signup deadline is Saturday at 2 p.m. PT, although I wouldn’t wait till the last second.
Need a proxy for the Las Vegas football contests? Winners Circle Proxy is the official proxy for VSiN.
Want to test your handicapping skills against the likes of Las Vegas pro bettors Steve Fezzik and Chuck Edel? Sign up for the Edge Boost Average Joe Contest, which mirrors the format of the Circa Friday Football Invitational. The top Average Joe will get a spot in next year’s Invitational, plus there are weekly and quarterly prizes. Read the rules, enter the contest — and find out why you should also sign up for a free Edge Boost account.
