Namely, Head coach Mack Brown keeps rolling along at age 72. Brown recently commented about the negative recruiting against him and his age. And then he laughed that all of the coaches who were doing that were no longer at their jobs. Brown has improved the North Carolina program. But the Tar Heels have not been able to take the next Betting on College Football step toward being a consistently serious contender. On Thursday night, Mack Brown and his Tar Heels will face a potential trap at the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, August 29, 2024, 8 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN |
| TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | -1½ -110 | 50½ -110 | -125 |  |
| Minnesota U | +1½ -110 | 50½ -110 | +105 | |
| ||||
North Carolina Tar Heels Team Overview
North Carolina’s favorable sports betting schedule and capable offense mean the Tar Heels should be bowl-eligible. Still, reaching loftier goals will require new coordinator Geoff Collins to pay instant dividends with the defense. Running back Omarion Hampton returns as one of the best in college football. But coach Mack Brown’s offense left spring with an unsettled quarterback battle and lost big-play receiver Tez Walker to the NFL.
The quarterback competition to replace Drake Maye could extend until just before the season opener. Conner Harrell moved up the depth chart the traditional way. To show, he redshirted in 2022 and then appeared in five games in 2023. Also, he started the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against West Virginia after Maye opted out.
Meanwhile, Harrell flashed some potential in that game but also threw a pair of interceptions. His competition for the QB spot is well-traveled SEC transfer Max Johnson. Previously, Johnson spent time at both LSU and Texas A&M. He started 22 games in his college career.
Regardless, the QB will have the luxury of handing off to Omarion Hampton. Correlate that Hampton was the Heels’ most important retention in the transfer market. Hampton rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns last season and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. Additionally, Carolina has depth at the position with USC transfer Darwin Barlow.
Last year, Carolina’s defense simply wasn’t good enough. Thus, Brown parted ways with longtime friend Gene Chizik and hired Geoff Collins as defensive coordinator. The former Georgia Tech head coach brings a different kind of energy to a group that needed things simplified.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Team Overview
Of great concern was that the 2023 campaign marked the first time Minnesota had a losing full-season record under coach PJ Fleck since ’17. Although a tough schedule is on tap, the Golden Gophers also have the pieces in place to rebound.
New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer is an intriguing quarterback addition to boost an offense that scored only 18.8 points in Big Ten play last year.
The strength of this group rests up front with four starters back. Including All-American tackle Aireontae Ersery. Running back Darius Taylor is a rising star after rushing for 799 yards in six games in ’23. Also, No. 1 receiver Daniel Jackson is back after grabbing 59 receptions. New coordinator Corey Hetherman inherits an experienced group (eight returning starters). Still, there’s room to improve after the Golden Gophers allowed 29.1 points and 6.03 yards a snap in Big Ten play last year.
North Carolina at Minnesota SBG Free Picks
On this occasion, North Carolina offers more Betting on College Football value as the quality road team.
North Carolina at Minnesota SBG Best Bet: North Carolina Tar Heels.