Staff Picks for the UNC football program's season opener at Minnesota
While the summer is coming to an end, the good news is that we can finally say that college football is back!
The UNC football program kicks off its 2024 season on the road against Minnesota on Thursday night, as this is a game that features two teams that have a lot of similarities heading into the new season.
As always, the Keeping It Heel team is here to provide our picks for the upcoming contest. Don't worry, we'll keep tabs on everyone's records as the 2024 season goes along!
Nick Delahanty- Site Expert
Talk about a tough game to predict right out of the gate!
Both teams are very similar (new quarterback(s), new defensive coordinators, coming off bad endings to the 2023 season, etc.), and the weather doesn't look too good for this one. With this in mind, expect both teams to rely heavily on the run game, as this one could be decided by which team's star running back has the better outing.
With Darius Taylor's status in question, Minnesota could be missing its key playmaker, but ultimately, I'm going to put my faith in the Tar Heels to pull this one out.
Prediction: North Carolina 20, Minnesota 17
Chase Maxwell- Contributor
After a relatively trouble-free win against the Gophers in September of 2023, the Tar Heels will have their hands full this time around. Minnesota will host this year's matchup, and if Gophers' running back Darius Taylor is ready to play, it could mean trouble for the defense of North Carolina. With Drake Maye gone, Omarion Hampton and the Tar Heels run game will need to step up offensively, and if Kaimon Rucker and Power Echols can help contain the run, the Tar Heels will have a great chance of starting the 2024 season with a win.
Prediction: North Carolina 27, Minnesota 23
Michael McKay- Contributor
Last season, Carolina won going away against a Minnesota team that had a net-negative at quarterback. The Gophers stymied UNC's run-game, and nabbed two interceptions against Drake Maye, but the future first-rounder did sling the ball for 414 yards and two touchdowns, which made the difference in the game. If Minnesota's new QB transfer Max Brosmer moves the needle enough, and Carolina's mystery quarterback doesn't match their accustomed level (and how can you not when succeeding Drake Maye?) the Gophers should have enough on both lines of scrimmage to come out on top.
Prediction: Minnesota 21, North Carolina 14
Luke Sugar- Contributor
I have the UNC Football program starting off the season on a high note, picking up a quality road win over a solid Minnesota squad. I think the X-factor will be Tar Heels Preseason First Team All-American running back Omarion Hampton, who should stampede all over the Minnesota defense.
As of Wednesday, the Tar Heels come in as the slight favorite with the over/under line at 50.5 total points. I’m taking the under with the Tar Heels winning. Minnesota’s offense isn’t particularly dynamic, and with Mack Brown looking to run a dual-quarterback system, it could take Max Johnson and Conner Harrell some time to get into a groove for the Tar Heels in Week 1.
Prediction: North Carolina 27, Minnesota 20
JT Zangara- Contributor
To open up the season Thursday night, it will be a nailbiter between the Tar Heels and the Minnesota Gophers. Both teams have strong run games with Omarion Hampton and Darius Taylor. I anticipate for both running backs to control the game but it'll come down to quarterback play. Max Johnson/Conner Harrell are expected to both see the field and transfer Max Brosmer will make his first start for Minnesota. A fast start for North Carolina could be a key factor on the road at Huntington Bank Stadium. This ACC vs Big Ten matchup could go either way for the Tar Heels but I believe Mack Brown and North Carolina start quick and narrowly defeat the Gophers in Week 1.
Prediction: North Carolina 24, Minnesota 20