The Heels go to Frozen Fenway.

The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-6, 3-5 ACC) and the UConn Huskies (8-4, independent) will meet on Saturday, December 28th at 11am ET for the third edition of the Fenway Bowl. Carolina is a 2.5-point favorite heading into a game which they ought to be able to win to cap an up-and-down season.

Freddie Kitchens – who many moons ago was the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide under Gene Stallings before embarking upon a coaching career to include a season as interim head coach of the Cleveland Browns – will lead the Tar Heels as interim head coach against the Huskies before assuming a permanent offensive assistant coaching role under new head coach Bill Belichick in 2025. On the other sideline, Jim Mora (son of Jim Mora of, “Playoffs?!” fame) is in his third season as head coach at UConn, where he is having his most successful year to date.

As one popular meme pointed out, this game features two basketball schools playing football on a baseball field. Another amusing fact that will not escape broadcasters’ attention on Saturday is that, immediately prior to Coach Belichick’s first season at the helm, the Heels will are playing a game in New England Patriots country.

The Matchup

	UNC	UConn
Total Offense:	38th: 415.3 ypg, 5.7 ypp	65th: 380.4 ypg, 5.3 ypp
Scoring Offense:	T-36th: 32.3 ppg	T-36th: 32.3 ppg
Third Down Conversion Rate:	76th: 38.74%	94th: 36.48%
Passing:	60th: 233.9 ypg, 7.4 ypa	94th: 202.3 ypg, 6.5 ypa
QB Comparison:	Jacolby Criswell (Grad-Morrilton, AR): 10 starts, 58% completion, 2,452 yards, 15 TD, 6 INT, 3 rush TD	Joe Fagnano (Sr- Williamsport, PA): 7 starts, 56.8% completion, 1,480 yards, 18 TD, 4 INT, 1 rush TD
Sacks Allowed:	29 for -193 yards	12 for -57 yards
Rushing:	29th: 189.5 ypg, 4.9 ypc	25th: 198.3 ypg, 5.1 ypc
Red Zone Touchdown %:	63.6%	62.5%
Total Defense:	85th: 396.1 ypg, 5.1 ypp	57th: 366.4 ypg, 5.6 ypp
Scoring Defense:	89th: 29.8 ppg	55th: 24.5 ppg
Third Down Conversion Rate Allowed:	34th: 34.5%	7th: 31.4%
Pass Defense	93rd: 232.6 ypg, 7.97 ypa	78th: 223.8 ypg, 6.41 ypa
Sacks:	39 for 228 yards	21 for 170 yards
Rush Defense:	56th: 144.4 ypg, 3.9 ypc	42nd: 135.3 ypg, 3.8 ypc
Red Zone Touchdown % Allowed:	59.6%	45.2%
Turnover Margin:	-1	-2

The Bottom Line

The big picture, even accounting for opt-outs, is that Carolina has a significantly better offense than UConn, while UConn’s defensive figures are superior (albeit against an inferior schedule). Offensive opt-outs and transfers for UNC include RB Omarion Hampton, RG Willie Lampkin, and LT Howard Sampson. On defense, DE Kaimon Rucker is out with the injury sustained from a cheap shot taken by NC State lineman Timothy McKay on 11/30. Opting out for NFL Draft reasons are DL Jahvaree Ritzie, LB Power Echols, and S Stick Lane. Expect less-utilized players like RB Davion Gause and OL Zach Rice to see some of the highest snap counts of their careers.

Expect UNC to struggle to get to UConn’s QB, in what could well be a high-scoring game despite the poor weather. Ball security will be key. There will be deficiencies, to be sure, but Carolina should win, and handily so.

How to Watch

Conditions in Boston are expected to be in the 30s and rainy. For those avoiding the frigid conditions, the Fenway Bowl can be viewed on ESPN beginning at 11:00am ET on 12/28.