Summer is coming to an end, and the good news is that college football is finally returning.
The UNC football program opens the 2024 season on the road against Minnesota on Thursday night, a matchup that pits two teams with many similarities heading into the new season.
As always, the Keeping It Heel team will be providing predictions for the upcoming contests, and don't worry, we'll be keeping an eye on everyone's records as the 2024 season progresses.
It's a tough match to predict from the start!
Both teams are very similar (new quarterback, new defensive coordinator, bad finish to the 2023 season, etc.) and the weather doesn't look too good for this matchup. Given this, we can expect both teams to rely heavily on the run game, as it could come down to which team's star running back has the better game.
Minnesota may be without a key playmaker as Darius Taylor’s status is questionable, but I’m ultimately going to believe the Tar Heels will win this game.
Prediction: North Carolina 20, Minnesota 17
After a relatively uneventful win against the Gophers in September 2023, the Tar Heels will have their hands full this time around. This year's matchup sees Minnesota host, and Gophers running back Darius Taylor, if available, could be troublesome for the North Carolina defense. With Drake Maye gone, Omarion Hampton and the Tar Heels' run game will need to step up offensively. If Kymon Rucker and Power Echols can help limit the run, the Tar Heels have a good chance of starting the 2024 season with a win.
Prediction: North Carolina 27, Minnesota 23
Last season, Carolina won on the road against Minnesota, a team with a minuscule quarterback. The Gophers thwarted North Carolina's run attack and threw two interceptions against Drake Maye, but the future first-round draft pick passed for 414 yards and two touchdowns to win the game. As long as Minnesota's new quarterback transfer Max Brosmer is strong enough and Carolina's mystery quarterback doesn't reach the level they're accustomed to (as Drake Maye's replacement, how can he not be), the Gophers should be good enough to win at both lines of scrimmage.
Prediction: Minnesota 21, North Carolina 14
I expect the UNC football program to start the season strong after a great road win against a solid Minnesota team, and I think the X-factor will be Tar Heels preseason first-team All-American running back Omarion Hampton, who should dominate the Minnesota defense.
As of Wednesday, the Tar Heels are favored slightly on the over/under line with a combined 50.5 points. I expect the Tar Heels to win. Minnesota's offense isn't particularly dynamic, and with Mack Brown looking to employ a dual quarterback system, it may take some time for Max Johnson and Connor Harrell to find their groove for the Tar Heels in Week 1.
Prediction: North Carolina 27, Minnesota 20
Thursday night's season opener will be a close one between the Tar Heels and the Minnesota Gophers. Both teams have strong running attacks with Omarion Hampton and Darius Taylor. I expect both running backs to control the game, but it will ultimately come down to the quarterback's play. Max Johnson and Connor Harrell will both play, 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 can get off to a fast start and barely beat the Gophers in Week 1.
Prediction: North Carolina 24, Minnesota 20
