UNC Football: Schedule Predictions for the 2023 Season

Week Three: Minnesota

Delahanty:

When looking at the UNC football program’s 2023 schedule, this was a game that I immediately felt could be a “trap game.”

Minnesota has lost some key contributors, as it’s a game that the Tar Heels should win decisively. However, as we saw last year with App State, you can’t overlook anyone, as this is a game that North Carolina must be locked in for.

I don’t expect this one to be an extremely high-scoring affair, but I do believe the Tar Heels will win this one by double-digits.

Prediction: North Carolina 35, Minnesota 24 (Record: 2-1)

Falls:

This is one we really don’t know much about the opponent. PJ Fleck is a great coach and one who could certainly have a game plan in place to slow down Drake Maye. The perception of Big Ten teams (outside of Ohio State and maybe Michigan) is that it’s a defensive slugfest and not a lot of offense. If it turns into a defensive slugfest, I can see the Tar Heels losing because well… the lack of high-quality defense (as previously discussed). However, if it’s a shootout, Carolina should outscore the Golden Gophers. I’m going to choose the latter. Carolina wins a non-conference home game in the first game in the series.

Prediction: North Carolina 31, Minnesota, 21 (Record: 2-1)

Ebersbach:

North Carolina takes on Minnesota for the first time in program history as they are scheduled to travel to Minnesota in 2025. The Golden Gophers went 9-4 last season behind star running back Mohamed Ibrahim and quarterback Tanner Morgan, both of whom moved on to the NFL. This is a game that the Tar Heels should not struggle with and should be a double-digit victory.

Prediction: North Carolina 31, Minnesota 17 (Record: 2-1)