Bill Belichick and North Carolina remain winless against power conference opponents

For the fourth time, the North Carolina team led by Bill Belichick faces a major conference opponent. And for the fourth time, they lose.

This time, it was in heartbreaking fashion after blowout losses in the Tar Heels’ first three games against power conference opponents, losing 21-18 to Cal in a game in which North Carolina fumbled at the one-yard line while appearing to be on the verge of scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 3:48 left in the fourth quarter.

After the game, Belichick said all his team could do was get back to work on the bases.

“Just continue to work on the things we need to do a better job of — third-and-long on defense, third-down on offense, ball security, things like that,” Belichick said.

In his postgame press conference, Belichick was in no mood to reflect on his decision to take the North Carolina job, responding to a question about it with: “I’ve answered the same question 75 times.”

But it’s a question that will continue to arise, as North Carolina fell to 2-4, with wins only against overmatched small-conference opponents Charlotte and Richmond. North Carolina fired Mack Brown last season, even though Brown had reached a bowl game in six straight seasons. Belichick is now on pace to miss a bowl in his first season at North Carolina. There are few signs of progress for Belichick’s program.