The Gophers head to Chapel Hill to take on the #20 North Carolina Tarheels in a battle between two undefeated teams. Minnesota is 2-0 after beating Eastern Michigan 25-6 with a dominant rushing attack and strong defensive performance. Mack Brown’s Tarheels are coming off a tough double-overtime 40-34 victory over Appalachian State. This is the first-ever matchup between North Carolina and Minnesota.
North Carolina is led by pre-season Heisman hopeful Drake Maye and a strong running game led by sophomore running back Omarion Hampton. Hampton rushed for five touchdowns in two games and is ranked fourth in the FBS in rushing yards, averaging 135.5 per game. Against Appalachian State, Hampton rushed for a career-high 234 yards on 26 carries. Maye was 21 for 30 for 208 yards and scored a rushing touchdown in the second overtime, but didn’t throw any touchdowns. The Tarheels won the game without a passing touchdown, the first time doing so in eight years.
Despite a 2-0 start, North Carolina’s season hasn’t unfolded as many expected. Instead of Maye leading a prolific passing game, the Tarheels have also had success in their ground game which is tied for ninth in the FBS. Maye, who was fourth in FBS passing yards in 2022, has completed 45-of-62 passes for 477 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions this year. The season is still young, but Maye is currently ranked #54 in FBS passing yards and is slipping in the early Heisman polls.
Game Information
- Date: Saturday, September 16
- Game: 2:30 PM CST
- Location: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, N.C.
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: KFAN
- Record: Minnesota (2-0), North Carolina (2-0)
Betting Line
- Spread: North Carolina, -7.5
- Over/Under: 50
- Money Line: Minnesota +245, North Carolina -305
Gophers Offense vs. North Carolina Defense
The Gophers’ offense looked markedly different between the game against Nebraska and Eastern Michigan. Against the Huskers, Kaliakmanis was 24-44 for 196 yards and one touchdown, while the team rushed for 55 yards on 25 carries. The Gophers struggled with downfield pass plays, as Kaliakmanis’ longest completion went for 20 yards. The Eastern Michigan offensive script was entirely different, as Kaliakmanis only attempted 15 passing attempts, but the team rushed for 296 yards on 56 carries. Running backs Darius Taylor and Sean Tyler carried the offensive load and helped the team cruise to a 25-6 win.
The Gophers face a North Carolina team that has allowed 51 points in its first two games and is ranked 84 in the FBS. In 2021 and 2022, they allowed 30.8 points per game and 32.1 points per game, respectively. Their nine sacks through two games are tied for sixth in the FBS, though that stat is deceiving as they had nine sacks against South Carolina and none against App State.
Minnesota’s offense has struggled this season, averaging 19 points per game, which is ranked 117 in the FBS. The match-up between an inconsistent Gopher offense and Tarheels defense might look like a chess match between very average opponents.
Gophers Defense vs. North Carolina Offense
The Gophers defense is once again one of the best in the country under coordinator Joe Rossi. They rank eighth in yards allowed per game (223.5), third in pass yards allowed (92.5), fifth in opponent pass efficiency (79.08), and sixth in interceptions (4). Last week, they held Eastern Michigan to 81 rushing yards and 71 passing yards.
Maye had an average performance last week but is still an elite quarterback. He passed Jason Stanicek and is in seventh place in all-time Tarheel history with 5,729 total offense yards. His arm and accuracy make him one of the most dangerous college quarterbacks, and he can pick apart defenses when he’s on his game. The Tarheels have averaged 35.5 points per game, and the Gophers have held opponents to eight points per game. The match-up between the Gophers’ defense and the North Carolina offense may determine the game’s outcome.
Did You Know?
- Minnesota has played 87 of the 133 FBS teams and is 64-21-2 when playing those teams for the first time
- The Gophers have won four straight non-conference road games going back to 2015, which tied for the sixth-longest current streak in the country
- Minnesota has two North Carolina natives on its roster: Tre’Von Jones (Trinity Christian) and Coleman Bryson (Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School)
- Minnesota is 18-6 in its last 24 non-home games, the team’s best 24-game stretch away from home in team history.
- Tyler currently leads all FBS players in career all-purpose yards (4,271) and rushing yards (2,954)
- The Tarheels’ upcoming game against the Gophers is their third consecutive home game to start the season
- Minnesota is currently averaging only 2.5 penalties per game, which is ranked third in the country
- North Carolina’s Brown has 275 career victories, which ranks eighth all-time in the FBS
Prediction
The Tarheels average 35.5 points per game, and the Gophers have allowed eight points per game, so something has to give. North Carolina should be able to move the ball, but the Gophers should prevent a high-scoring game. Rossi’s defense will hold the Tarheels to their lowest point total on the season.
North Carolina has allowed 25.5 points per game this season but has successfully gotten to the quarterback. The Gophers will lean on Taylor and Tyler to establish the run game and limit pressure and mistakes by Kaliakmanis. The Gophers’ passing attack has been inconsistent, and it won’t improve against North Carolina in a tough road game.
Projection: Gophers lose 27-17
Photo courtesy: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
