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It’s an intriguing interconference contest Saturday afternoon, the Minnesota Golden Gophers traveling to Chapel Hill to oppose the No . 20 North Carolina Tar Heels.
It’s the first-ever meeting between the schools, who will flip venues in 2024.
Minnesota (2-0) has its first road test of the season, that after opening with wins over Nebraska (13-10) and Eastern Michigan (25-6). Those weren’t necessarily clinics, but 2-0 is 2-0. Expect the Heels at home to be a far more difficult assignment.
North Carolina (2-0) was taken to double overtime by 18-point underdog Appalachian St, last week. The Tar Heels survived, 40-34. UNC did begin its season with a 31-17 win over South Carolina in Charlotte.
This Big Ten/ACC affair finds the home side as 7½-point favorites (total at 50), according to college football odds.
Moneyline is Carolina -280, Minnesota priced at +230.
UNC is priced at 10-1 (+1000) to win the ACC, Minnesota is 28-1 (+2800) to capture the Big Ten, as per college football conference odds.
Gophers’ Non-Existent Offense
Despite a 2-0 record, Minnesota is averaging just 332 yards of total offense this season. The passing game has been nearly non-existent.
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis has just 313 yards through two games, with a touchdown pass and two interceptions. That’s not going to scare anyone.
Minnesota will run the football, to the tune of 175½ yards per game on the ground. Thus, the way to beat the Gophers is to force them to the air.
Minnesota’s secondary has been stellar, having surrendered fewer than 100 passing yards per game. Needless to say, that unit is about to get a severe test.
Heels Struggling at Outset
Again, 2-0 is 2-0, but if you’d have guessed the North Carolina Tar Heels, with a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, would surrender more yards (314 per game) through the air than they’ve gained (238½), you win.
Drake Maye has “only” 477 yards through two games, with two touchdowns and two picks. Maye is trying to get used to some new receivers, but in the meantime, the Heels have thrived on the ground.
UNC is averaging 243 rush yards this season, led by Omarion Hampton’s 271 yards (five touchdowns, 6.5 yards/carry). While the home side is thought to be a pass-first outfit, balance has worked thus far.
As was mentioned, the secondary has been brutalized early, and what may be its saving grace is the fact Minnesota’s aerial game is not potent.
Do the Gophers try to get bold and toss more in this game?
Grab the Points
While North Carolina has the better offense in this game, Minnesota has a style of play that can frustrate opponents. The Gophers are going to keep the ball on the ground a ton in this one, despite a porous opposition secondary.
We don’t see it as an easy win by the favorites, but we do expect North Carolina to prevail.
Take the 7½ points with Minnesota’s Golden Gophers, along with under 50.
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
