The Minnesota Gophers kick off their 2024 regular season on Thursday night against the North Carolina Tar Heels. P.J. Fleck could be without some key contributors but Huntington Bank Stadium’s advantage may be enough to get the job done.
Line changes this week for Minnesota Gophers
When the betting line opened for the Minnesota Gophers and North Carolina Tar Heels, P.J. Fleck’s squad was favored by as much as three points. They are now two-point underdogs at most sportsbooks. A five-point swing is substantial, and there may be good reason for it. The Athletic’s Austin Mock still loves their chances.
“ North Carolina has taken some money over the weekend and is now a short favorite, and I disagree with the move. The Tar Heels have had a great run at quarterback over the last handful of years with Sam Howell and Drake Maye , but that’s not the case this year. Unless Mack Brown has found another NFL Draft pick in either Max Johnson or Conner Harrell , I think there is going to be a decent step back this season. Now, I’m not a huge fan of Minnesota ’s offense, but I do think the Golden Gophers upgraded at quarterback heading into this season. Does Minnesota have the juice to take down a more talented North Carolina roster? I think they do. “
Austin Mock on the Minnesota Gophers being a “best bet” in Week 1 (The Athletic)
The suggestion for the Gophers and Tar Heels game is not to take the points. Mock has Minnesota at +105 on the moneyline, meaning that Fleck’s squad needs to win the game. A field goal decides the vast majority of football outcomes. Minnesota not getting the benefit of a field goal deficit makes the moneyline play sensible.
Related: Best Food Options at Huntington Bank Stadium During Gophers Football Games
North Carolina, as Mock notes, is not the powerhouse they were with stout quarterbacks under center. They still have standout running back Omarion Hampton. That’s where Minnesota’s focus must lie. If they can control the running game, a win isn’t out of the question.
Are Minnesota Gophers too shorthanded to get it done?
Typically when there is a notable line change for a contest it has to do with the availability of certain players. That is very likely the case for the Minnesota Gophers. Both running back Darius Taylor and wide receiver Daniel Jackson are questionable. If both of them are out for Minnesota, it will be next man up. That also puts a significant amount of pressure on transfer quarterback Max Brosmer.
Minnesota’s passing offense will likely look much different this season. Athan Kaliakmanis and Cole Kramer combined to throw for less than 2,000 yards last season . Last season Gophers quarterbacks owned a 16/11 TD/INT ratio. Brosmer is expected to perform substantially better than those marks. How much Fleck will let him air it out is still a mystery.
We will quickly see just how ready the Gophers are for their first test. The Tar Heels aren’t the same team that they have been of late, but they won’t be a cakewalk either. Home field advantage should help the Gophers, and Huntington Bank Stadium is expected to be in full throat.
Related: CFB Insider Has His Eye on QB Max Brosmer, 2024 Gophers
If the Gophers are going to make noise in the reshaped Big Ten this season, it will start with a victory over an opponent they should beat.
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