North Carolina Tar Heels vs Uconn Huskies Picks and Predictions December 28th 2024

Bill Belichick Casts Heavy Shadow Over Fenway Bowl

Before a new era begins at North Carolina, there is one more football game to play. That comes when the Tar Heels meet UConn on Saturday in the Fenway Bowl — at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.

There is no doubt that much of the bowl game will include the backdrop of Bill Belichick becoming North Carolina’s coach beginning in the 2025 season. Adding to the buzz is the fact that the game will be played practically in the backyard of where Belichick coached the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl wins.

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The distractions could be numerous for the Tar Heels (6-6), who lost their final two games of the regular season.

“I want to compliment the guys on working to get better each and every day,” interim coach Freddie Kitchens said. “We’re just trying to do a good job staying where our feet are. I think the guys have done a good job of kind of knocking out some of the distractions.”

Since the departure of coach Mack Brown, Kitchens, who will remain with the program on Belichick’s staff, has overseen the North Carolina team. Belichick and Kitchens are in regular communication.

“He asks questions. I answer the questions,” Kitchens said, “so he’s fully aware of everything dealing with this program.”

UConn Eyes Bowl Glory

UConn (8-4) certainly doesn’t want to be an afterthought in this bowl.

“It’s Fenway, (so) it’s going to be awesome,” Huskies coach Jim Mora Jr. said.

The Huskies are trying to match the program’s highest win total since moving to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2000. UConn posted nine victories in 2003 and 2007.

“You guys can look back with a lot of pride that you’ve hopefully changed the trajectory of this program for a long time to come,” Mora said of his message to the team.

Tar Heels Face Transition

The trajectory for North Carolina, on the other hand, is that of a program in transition. Kitchens is finishing his second season as North Carolina’s run game coordinator and tight ends coach. He is part of a group of assistants coordinating the offense for the bowl as 2024 coordinator Chip Lindsey departed for Michigan earlier this month.

“We try to draw on things we can control,” Kitchens said. “I expect them to play well and hopefully they expect themselves to play well.”

Kitchens has declined to discuss specifics regarding how the offense might be designed for the game against Connecticut. Defensive coordinator Geoff Collins remains in that position for the Fenway Bowl.

“Nothing really has changed from a defensive staff or special teams staff,” Kitchens said.

Kitchens noted that most players who entered the transfer portal have continued to work out with the Tar Heels and that he anticipates they will play in Boston. One notable absence is running back Omarion Hampton, who declared for the NFL draft after a standout season with 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

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Mora said the Huskies will be without running back Durell Robinson (731 rushing yards), who is transferring to Auburn. However, leading rusher Cam Edwards (756 yards) will play, though defensive lineman Dal’Mont Gourdine will miss the game with a broken foot sustained during practice.

North Carolina has won all three previous meetings with UConn, most recently earning a narrow 12-10 win in 2009. UConn is 0-3 against Atlantic Coast Conference teams this season, having lost to Duke, Wake Forest, and Syracuse.

ACC teams have a strong history in the Fenway Bowl, with Louisville and Boston College winning the first two editions. Connecticut has played at Fenway before, losing a regular-season game to Boston College in November 2017.

Kitchens is eager to step inside Fenway Park for the first time.

“I’ve been outside Fenway Park on a visit to Boston but never inside the gates,” he said.