College football season is finally here – and the North Carolina Tar Heels are ready to press the reset button after last year's late-season collapse.

UNC has a golden opportunity to get a rare, season-open road win at Minnesota on Thursday, Aug. 29. North Carolina still doesn't have a starting quarterback, but instead, head coach Mack Brown said the Tar Heels will roll with both Max Johnson and Conner Harrell in the opener.

There will no doubt be some Carolina Blue in the stands at Huntington Bank Stadium Thursday night, but it won't be the same as playing in front of the passionate crowd at Kenan Stadium.

Earlier Monday before boarding their flight to Minnesota, players took time to thank some of their greatest supporters earlier Monday, visiting the UNC Children's Hospital.

One of those supporters even included a young Duke fan, who was overjoyed that several Tar Heels took time out of their days to visit with the children.

According to ESPN, North Carolina is a 2-point underdog entering its rematch with Minnesota. UNC handled the Golden Gophers last year, 31-13, when they came to Chapel Hill and fell victim to a 400-yard Drake Maye passing game.

When the Tar Heels return home on Saturday, September 7 to face Charlotte at 3:30 p.m., those same kids are hoping the Tar Heels will be 1-0.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : UNC football players make special trip to Children's Hospital before flight to Minnesota