North Carolina moves on from the Drake Maye era – the record setting QB selected #3 by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL draft – as road favorites in the Twin Cities against Minnesota. The Tar Heels offense will surely take a hit early looking for Maye’s replacement, but offshore oddsmakers don’t seem worried making the Golden Gophers open up the season as home underdogs.
Before Betting on Week 1 North Carolina vs Minnesota
Even though he was a highly optimistic hire coming over from Western Michigan, 2024 could actually be a make or break year for Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck. The biggest problem the Golden Gophers have faced under Fleck’s tenure has been consistency – winning 9+ games in 3 of 4 seasons from 2019-2022, but experiencing a disappointing 6-7 mark last year. To their credit, Minnesota is 5-0 in bowl games in Fleck’s previous 7 seasons.
Like many teams in the NIL era, Minnesota will be debuting a new QB on Thursday night as New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer takes the reins. Brosmer led the FCS in passing last year with 3,464 yards and was second with 29 TD passes, but he’ll obviously face better talent in the FBS. Either way it can’t get much worse for the Golden Gophers who had the fifth worst passing offense in the Power 5 according to PFF.
Maye threw for 4,321 yards in 2022 and 3,608 a year ago with 62 TDs over that span so he is going to be hard to replace. It looks like Mack Brown will use a dual QB system in the opener with Max Johnson and Conner Harrell each getting snaps. The good news is UNC can rely on a running game that has Omarion Hampton coming off a 1,504 yard and 15 TD season. Then again, Maye was such a threat that opposing defenses focused more on the pass than the run vs the Tar Heels in 2023.
Tar Heels vs Golden Gophers Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Point Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | UNC (1.77) | MINN (2.10) | 49.5 |
UNC-2.5 (1.95) | MINN +2.5 (1.87) |
| MyBookie | UNC (1.76) | MINN (2.08) | 49.5 | UNC-2 (1.91) | MINN +2 (1.91) |
| SportsBetting.ag | UNC (1.77) | MINN (2.10) | 49.5 | UNC-2.5 (1.95) | MINN +2.5 (1.87) |
| XBet | UNC (1.76) | MINN (2.08) | 49.5 | UNC-2 (1.91) | MINN +2 (1.91) |
Week 1 North Carolina vs Minnesota Prediction & Pick
Lots of questions abound in this season opener. UNC has to replace Maye while Minnesota has a new QB and defensive coordinator. The two constants in this game are Fleck and Brown, two great coaches. With so many unknowns, it seems the only way to go is to take the points at home.
Pick: Minnesota +2.5
-
Tags:
Leave a Comment