The North Carolina Tar Heels will kickoff their 2024 season on the road against Minnesota in the second of a home-and-home series. With UNC beating Minnesota in Chapel Hill a year ago, the Gophers are out for some revenge.

It will also be a new-look Tar Heels team as they saw Drake Maye, Tez Walker and Cedric Gray among others head to the NFL.

The Tar Heels still have questions at the quarterback position with Mack Brown not revealing a starter between Max Johnson and Conner Harrell. He even hinted at using both players during this game. But UNC does return Omarion Hampton, one of the best running backs in college football.

Can the Tar Heels get a big road win? Let's see what our staff predicts.

Zack Pearson

Prediction: Minnesota 23, North Carolina 16

Record: 0-0

I really don't know what to expect from North Carolina in this game and their quarterback situation still appears to be up in the air. They do return Omarion Hampton and with the weather calling for rain, they could lean on him. Still, I think Minnesota gets it done at home.

Aidan Jensen

Prediction: North Carolina 20, Minnesota 13

Record: 0-0

2024 begins a new chapter for the UNC football program, which begins gameplay on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Minnesota. The Tar Heels lost three starters in Drake Maye, Tez Walker and Cedric Gray to the NFL Draft this offseason, but they bring back the country's best running back in Omarion Hampton and an experienced defense. Minnesota isn't a team that'll wow you offensively, but they also have a star running back in Darius Taylor.

The Golden Gophers don't have a shutdown defense like Michigan, but one that'll slow you offensively. Headlined by the hiring of new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins, UNC's defense comes out and surprises fans. Offense does just enough to win on the road, though, where North Carolina hasn't started well in recent seasons. Max Johnson and Conner Harrell figure out how to make a 2-quarterback system work

Matthew Beighle

Prediction: North Carolina 24, Minnesota 21

Record: 0-0

Most analysts and fans are sleeping on the Tar Heels this season. All we’re hearing is that they haven’t won a road opener in 30 years. There’s no way they take down a Big 10 team to start the season.

However, with both teams presenting what looks like graduate transfers starting their first live action for a new team, it’s going to come down to the consistency of the other positions and for UNC football, you have to look no further then the star-studded back lining up behind Johnson or Harrell. This will be the Omarion Show and despite the fact that I think the defense has some kinks to work out and gives up some easy big plays, the superiority of the ground game will be the measurable and point differential.

More coverage of this game

Tar Heels Wire has you covered with this game leading into the 2024 season opener:

UNC vs. Minnesota Game preview

Will Minnesota be without a key player?

Offensive keys to the game for UNC

The Athletic makes UNC bowl prediction

What you need to know

WHAT? North Carolina Tar Heels (0-0) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (0-0)WHEN? Thursday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ETWHERE? Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.TV? FOX (Watch and stream the game live on Fox Sports)RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 84 and 193)WEATHER?  60 degrees, 80% chance of rain, 5-10 mph windsLINE? Minnesota -2LAST MEETING? 2023, UNC 31-13ALL-TIME SERIES? UNC leads, 1-0

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Staff predictions for UNC-Minnesota season opener