NCAA Football
2024-12-28 - Connecticut Huskies at North Carolina Tar Heels
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : College Football Fenway Bowl
Saturday 28th December 2024 - Scheduled 11am
4pm (British Time)
Preview
It is perhaps fitting that the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6) have been invited to compete in the Fenway Bowl at the end of the 2024 season.
The Mack Brown era came to an end after a disappointing regular season, but the Tar Heels made a huge splash by landing Bill Belichick as their new Head Coach.
His presence is going to overshadow this game as Belichick prepares to take on his first Head Coach role since leaving the New England Patriots where he had so much success over the last two decades. The future NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach may not be on the sidelines for this one, but North Carolina fans have to be excited about the future direction of the team, which has underachieved in recent times.
No one is going to doubt that it will take some time for Bill Belichick to really push North Carolina in the direction all associated with the school will want, but players have not opted out of playing this one, even those that have entered the transfer portal.
The Tar Heels are facing the Connecticut Huskies (8-4) who will be motivated by playing at a historic venue like Fenway Park.
You cannot ignore the strong season that the Huskies have produced, but they have lost to Conference rivals of the Tar Heels when going down to Duke Blue Devils and Syracuse Orange. This suggests there is still a significant gap for the Huskies to bridge, even if North Carolina are in the midst of a transition.
If this was a regular season game, Connecticut's Offensive Line may hold the edge, but they are not going to have Durell Robinson playing in the backfield. There are other Huskies players in the transfer portal who may not be involved and the Tar Heels have a bit of consistency on the Defensive side of the ball that will make things difficult for the opponent.
Running the ball will be key for Connecticut, especially as the passing game had been inconsistent down the stretch. While the Tar Heels Secondary have allowed teams to have some success throwing against them, they also have an ability to step in front of the passing lanes and turnovers might just prove to be the difference.
More questions have to be asked of the North Carolina Offense with some figures departing in the Coaching staff, while they do not match up that well with the Huskies.
Running the ball against the Connecticut Defensive Line will be challenging, but there are holes in the Secondary that can be attacked. Like their opponent, North Carolina are missing an important Running Back, but the Huskies Secondary finished the regular season giving up over 300 passing yards on average and that is something that will be music to the ears of the Tar Heels.
Interceptions have been an issue for North Carolina, but they have played at a higher level than the Huskies and the motivation to prove themselves to Bill Belichick can inspire the team. Both North Carolina and the Huskies will be motivated by playing at Fenway Park, but the Offensive power of the ACC team can see them come through with an important win.
Prediction
Lay the points with the team that will be led by Bill Belichick in 2025 in this Bowl Game played at the home of the Boston Red Sox.
The Pick :
North Carolina Tar Heels 24-17 Connecticut Huskies
