UNC football vs. Minnesota: Scouting report, score prediction

UNC football opens the 2024 season with a chance to end a nearly 39-year drought.

The Tar Heels, who have not won a season opener in a true away game since 1985, will try to end that losing streak on Thursday in Minnesota (8 p.m., FOX).

UNC, which lost five such games from 1988-2021, defeated Southern Cal in 1993 as part of the Disneyland Pigskin Classic. But that game was played at Anaheim Stadium, not the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the site of the Trojans' home games since the stadium was built in 1923. That means if head coach Mack Brown's Tar Heels can beat the Golden Gophers in Minneapolis, it would be UNC's first road win in a non-conference season opener since a 21-19 victory at Navy in 1985.

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The Heels and Minnesota met for the first time last season, with UNC winning 31-13 at Kenan Stadium. The Gophers are 21-2 in nonconference games under eight-year coach PJ Fleck.

Here's a look at what to watch and a score prediction for UNC's final matchup and first game of the 2024 college football season.

Will UNC wide receiver Nate McCollum hit the ground running against Minnesota?

Nate McCollum was the star for UNC in its win over the Golden Gophers last season. The senior wide receiver caught 15 passes — the fourth-most in a single game in UNC history — for 165 yards and a touchdown. McCollum won't be paired with Drake Maye, but the speedy wide receiver will surely take plenty of confidence into the latest matchup after his performance last year.

UNC quarterbacks Max Johnson and Conner Harrell against Minnesota QB Max Brosmer

The quarterbacks are Max Johnson and/or Conner Harrell for the Tar Heels and Max Brosmer for the Golden Gophers. Brosmer, a sixth-year transfer from New Hampshire, led the FCS in passing yards per game (313.55) and total offense per game (325). As for the Tar Heels, Mack Brown said both Johnson and Harrell could play. The quarterbacks in last season's meeting combined for four interceptions, but the offensive lines look much different this year. Minnesota returns four starters and UNC replaces four starters at forward defense. Protection will be key, as always.

New defensive coordinators for Tar Heels and Golden Gophers

Former Rutgers assistant coach Corey Hetherman is the new defensive coordinator at Minnesota and former Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins leads the Tar Heels' defense. Both coaches have reputations for fielding aggressive defenses. Minnesota ranked 54th in total defense last season, 40 spots better than UNC (94th). The unit, which builds confidence early, will likely celebrate by the end of the fourth quarter.

Score prediction for UNC vs. Minnesota

UNC 24, Minnesota 20: The Tar Heels' history in non-conference road openers is troubling, but the Golden Gophers aren't world-class. In a game that will likely be decided late, I'm betting on the best player on the field — UNC running back Omarion Hampton — to be the difference-maker. Hampton, who had 46 rushing yards against Minnesota in 2023, will help the Heels win on the road.

Editor Rodd Baxley can be reached at [email protected] or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

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UNC football vs. Minnesota: Scouting report, score prediction

Will UNC wide receiver Nate McCollum hit the ground running against Minnesota?

UNC quarterbacks Max Johnson and Conner Harrell against Minnesota QB Max Brosmer

New defensive coordinators for Tar Heels and Golden Gophers

Score prediction for UNC vs. Minnesota

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UNC football vs. Minnesota: Scouting report, score prediction

Will UNC wide receiver Nate McCollum hit the ground running against Minnesota?

UNC quarterbacks Max Johnson and Conner Harrell against Minnesota QB Max Brosmer

New defensive coordinators for Tar Heels and Golden Gophers

Score prediction for UNC vs. Minnesota

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