North Carolina football vs Minnesota first look: Odds, key matchup, player to watch

In the first two weeks of the season, North Carolina has beaten a quality SEC team and held off an in-state opponent aching to pull an upset.

Beating South Carolina and then Appalachian State has answered a few questions and raised a few more about the No. 20 Tar Heels. The first win was convincing and the second closer than many expected, but the Heels have made it to Week 3 with a 2-0 record.

Next up: the Big Ten.

Minnesota will come to Kenan Stadium this week, also 2-0 and looking for a nice road win. The Golden Gophers, after rallying late to beat Nebraska in their opener, slugged their way past Eastern Michigan 25-6 on Saturday with a game plan from Big 10 games of old: line up and run, then run some more. Smash-mouth stuff.

Freshman Darius Taylor was given the ball 33 times and responded with 193 yards and a touchdown. Add in another 93 rushing yards by Sean Tyler, who had 19 carries, and Minnesota finished with 296 yards and kept the ball for almost 40 minutes.

“We decided we were going to pound the ball and we pounded the ball,” quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis said after the game.

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said the Gophers’ offensive line “imposed their will.” Having watched and dissected UNC’s game with App State, the Gophers likely won’t deviate from that run/run/run plan. Unless the Heels make them deviate.

Key game matchup

UNC’s defensive front overwhelmed South Carolina in the 31-17 victory in Charlotte, turning the Gamecocks one-dimensional offensively – quarterback Spencer Rattler scrambling all over and throwing early every down in the second half.

But App State showed there is a way to establish offensive balance against the Heels, rushing for 219 yards and passing for 275. It wasn’t enough to win the game, UNC holding on for a 40-34 win in double overtime, but enough to help the Gophers develop their game plan for this week.

The Tar Heels stopped the Gamecocks’ running game dead in its tracks and the stats – minus-2 yard rushing – proved it. ASU gouged out yardage as running back Nate Noel found the gaps.

Minnesota didn’t need a big passing game from Kaliakmanis against Eastern Michigan (117 yards) but the Tar Heels must make him more of a factor Saturday.

UNC player to watch: Omarion Hampton

UNC coach Mack Brown went into the ASU game unsure if running back British Brooks could go. Turns out, Brooks could not because of an injury and lingering soreness.

But if Noel was a handful for the UNC defense, sophomore Omarion Hampton was a game-long nightmare for the Apps. The former Cleveland High standout broke off a 68-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and kept on running in a 234-yard night that included UNC’s touchdown in the first overtime on a no-sweat 17-yard run.

“We rode the horse,” Brown said. And why not? Hampton showed off both speed and tackle-breaking power.

“I knew he was going to have days like this,” UNC linebacker Ced Gray said. “He’s going to have a crazy season, I’m telling you right now.”

Vegas betting odds

The Vegas oddsmakers have made the Tar Heels an early 6.0-point or 6.5-point favorite. The over/under has been set at 50.5 points by one betting service.

How to watch

The Spectrum/Disney showdown continues for another week. The UNC game will be carried on ESPN. Those without cable or Spectrum can stream it on such services as DIRECTV, fuboTB, Hulu + Live TV, SlingTV and YouTube TV.

North Carolina (2-0) vs Minnesota (2-0)

Who: Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill.

TV: ESPN

Series history: There is none. It will be the first football game between the Heels and Gophers. UNC is scheduled to play at Minnesota next season.