College football Week 1 officially kicks off tonight, with a bunch of games on the docket, starting with Howard vs. Rutgers at 6 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network.

As for this article, it will be a preview of the North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Minnesota Gophers matchup.

This game starts at 8 p.m. ET and will be aired on FOX.

North Carolina vs. Minnesota Betting Odds

FanDuel DraftKings Caesars
UNC Spread -2.5 (-113) -1.5 (-107) -1.5 (-110)
UM Spread +2.5 (-110) +1.5 (-124) +1.5 (-110)
UNC ML -130 -125 -125
UM ML +108 -105 +105
Total 50.5 (o-115; u-105) 50.5 (o-112; u-108) 50.5 (o-110; u-110)

There is an interesting difference in how the sportsbooks currently price the spread, as FanDuel’s main line is at 2.5, while most books have it at 1.5. Of course, going from 1.5 -> 2.5 is not a key number in football, but there is still value to be had on both sides, depending on which team you are looking to back.

$200 BONUS BETS

DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK

$1,000 FIRST BET RESET (MUST USE CODE NEWSWEEK)

ESPN BET

UP TO $1,000 BONUS BETS

FANATICS SPORTSBOOK

$1,500 FIRST-BET OFFER

BETMGM

$200 BONUS OR $1,000 FIRST-BET SAFETY NET

BET365

$1,000 FIRST BET

CAESARS SPORTSBOOK

$200 BONUS BETS

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK

Here is how we are betting this game and what we are looking for.

How to Bet North Carolina vs. Minnesota

The biggest unknown heading into this game is the quarterback situation of North Carolina. Drake Maye has moved on to the NFL as the third-overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and UNC looks to replace him in 2024.

Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown made an interesting decision at the QB position, announcing that graduate transfer Max Johnson and sophomore Conner Harrell will split playing time against Minnesota.

Johnson brings a wealth of starting experience, with four years and 788 passing attempts in the SEC under his belt after stops at LSU and Texas A&M, while Harrell has limited playing time, with only seven career dropbacks in college.

No matter who starts at QB, they will have to deal with an inexperienced offensive line but ample weapons at the skill positions. The player to watch out for here is running back Omarion Hampton, who is set up to have a big game tonight.

UNC did not have a stout offensive line last year, but Hampton ended the season with 63 missed tackles and an astounding 4.4 yards after first contact. This will come in handy, as Minnesota will have a completely new defense under a new coordinator. The Gophers do not quite have the defensive line to contain the running game, which is why Hampton is set up to have success.

Minnesota will also feature a new starting QB, New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer. Brosmer had success there, leading the FCS in passing in 2023.

While the Gophers do return all five starters along the offensive line from last year, head coach P.J. Fleck loves to incorporate the QB into the running game, but Brosmer is not fleet of foot. So, the guess here is that Minnesota is going to struggle to gain any momentum on the ground against the Tar Heels’ stout run defense.

North Carolina vs. Minnesota Betting Pick

North Carolina Tar Heels -1.5 (-102) FanDuel

Both teams feature uncertainty at quarterback, but the Tar Heels have better weapons surrounding the QB, and they figure to be the much better defensive team.

In college football, not being able to generate anything on the ground while also struggling to stop the run on the other side of the ball can be a death sentence, which is going to be the difference here. Ride with the Tar Heels tonight.

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