Week 1 of the college football season is here, and we're fired up and ready to roll. Thursday's marquee matchup on FOX features North Carolina at Minnesota. How will UNC look without Drake Maye? Is 2024 the breakthrough year for PJ Fleck and the Gophers?
We'll answer those questions and more with our betting preview! Get the live odds, top matchups, and our best bet below! Ain't it great to have college football back in our lives?
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Replacing a generational talent like Drake Maye will be a tall order for the Tarheels. Mack Brown brought in journeyman QB Max Johnson from Texas A&M to hopefully make that process more seamless. While Johnson will bring some much-needed experience, there's no way this squad will average 8.5 yards per pass attempt like last season.
With a new quarterback at the helm, UNC should look to lean more heavily on its run game. Junior RB Omarion Hampton is a true stud who ran for over 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago. Hampton could have some success against a Minny D that gave up 4.7 yards per carry in 2023.
After several subpar performances, Minnesota's defense will look to generate more of a pass rush this year. Jah Joyner and Danny Striggow are both redshirt seniors who know how to pressure opposing quarterbacks. The Gophers secondary worries me, but will Johnson and the UNC receivers be able to take advantage?
The Golden Gophers will also be breaking in a new quarterback this season, as Fleck brought in Max Brosmer from New Hampshire. I know FCS isn't an apples-to-apples comparison to the Big Ten, but I like that this kid has thrown for over 8500 yards in his college career.
Even if it takes Brosmer a few games to get comfortable, Minny's run game is more than capable of carrying the load. Darius Taylor will be the go-to running back, and he showed everyone what he's capable of in the bowl game with a 208-yard rushing performance. If Taylor can stay healthy for the entire 2024 campaign, he'll be a household name.
Brosmer gets a legitimate playmaker to through to down the field with WR Daniel Jackson on the outside. The 6-foot senior racked up 831 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns even with poor play from last year's QB.
I like the Gophers in this spot as the home dog! This is a huge opener for Fleck and Co., and I think they'll be up to the task. Brosmer may have some first-game jitters but look for the highly experienced Minny O-line to dominate the trenches.
Max Johnson should have a decent season for the Tarheels, but I think it'll take him a while to learn the new system. He's trying to learn his third offense in 3 years, and that's not an easy thing to do. UNC will also be breaking in a new defensive coordinator.
Lastly, I love Minnesota's kicker, Dragan Kesich. Not only does he have a really cool name, but he made 23 of his 27 field goal attempts in 2023. The Gophers will win this one outright, but I don't mind getting a couple of points of insurance. Good luck!