The North Carolina Tar Heels look to continue their 2022 season with another dominating performance.
Even though the Florida A&M Rattlers were missing 25 of their starters with only seven available offensive linemen, the North Carolina Tar Heels looked ready to take on any team on the NCAAF schedule.
NCAAF Schedule 2022-23
Redshirt freshman Drake Maye looked NFL-ready out there. May, who was just named the starter earlier in the week, completed 29 of 37 passes for 294 yards.
His five touchdowns were the first time in school history that a quarterback threw for five scores in his first career start.
Ten different receivers all caught a pass from Maye, including Josh Downs, who had nine receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
Running Back Omarion Hampton was also really dominant, rushing for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
NCAAF Previous Scoreboard
The North Carolina Tar Heels opened 2021 as a top 10 team in the college football standings before finishing with a 6-7 record, losing all six of their road games.
Even more disappointing, the Tar Heels lost to a rebuilding South Carolina team in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl by 17 points.
Few teams could be disappointed in a 10-4 record, and the Appalachian State Mountaineers are one of them.
After finishing the 2021 season with a 10-3 record, the Mountaineers lost to Western Kentucky in the Sun Belt championship game, giving up 59 points.
Tar Heels vs. Mountaineers Betting Analysis
Tar Heels Analysis
It’s hard to get a gauge of how good a team is with only one game in the books, especially going against another team with 25 of their starters missing, but the North Carolina Tar Heels were as dominant as you can be against the Florida A&M Rattlers.
The skill and depth of the Tar Heels really showed in the second half of Saturday’s matchup, outscoring the Rattlers 35-10 in the final 30:05 minutes of play.
Last year’s 6-7 record was very disappointing, considering North Carolina had one of the best QBs in the nation and by far the best QB in program history to run the “Air Raid” attack in Sam Howell.
With Cowell leaving for the NFL, Drake Maye beat out Jacolby Criswell in a QBs competition, and judging by his five TD performance to open the season; the Tar Heels should be in good shape at the position.
Maye also got back two big-time receivers in Antoine Green and Josh Downs, who set school records in both receptions (101) and yards with 1,335.
Tar Heels Offensive Line Last Season
On the downside, the Tar Heels were forced to replace three starters on an already horrible offensive line that gave up 49 sacks last season.
The Tar Heels also had to replace Ty Chandler, who rushed for over 1,000 yards, but Omarion Hampton looks more than capable of taking over that role.
Tar Heels Defense Last Season
In an attempt to fix a defense that was atrocious last season, Brown brought back Gene Chizik to work with former Indiana DC Charlton Warren and his former player Tommy Thigpen as co-defensive coordinators.
Together, they will try to improve a defense that was 11th in the ACC in pass efficiency and 10th in run defense. The Tar Heels allowed 32.1 PPG and 418 yards per game last season.
Mountaineers Analysis
The Appalachian State Mountaineers will be returning seven starters on an offense that average 35 PPG last season.
QB Chase Brice will also be returning for the Mountaineers and will look to improve upon his 11 interceptions and 27 touchdowns with over 3,300 yards.
Unfortunately for Brice, three of his top receivers have moved, so he will have to build rapport with almost an entirely new receiving core.
Appalachian State is returning Camerun Peoples and Nate Noel, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns collectively.
Mountaineers Offensive Line
The Mountaineers will also be returning four starters from an offensive line that allowed only 17 sacks last season.
The Mountaineers will be without Sun Belt defensive player of the year D’Marco Jackson who led the team with 120 tackles, notching 13 for a loss and six sacks.
Appalachian State will be returning two starting linebackers, including Nick Hamilton, who led them in sacks with 11 of their 37.
Mountaineers Lack of Experience
The Mountaineers are a little vulnerable in the secondary with a lack of experience, but they did manage to snatch 15 interceptions last season.
The Mountaineers finished 2021, allowing only 22.1 PPG and 3.7 yards per play.
NCAAF News for this Matchup
The North Carolina Tar Heels replaced Sam Howell, who is one of the best QBs in team history, with freshman Drake Maye who debuted with five touchdown performances.
The Tar Heels also brought back Antoine Green and school record setter Josh Downs at the receiver position.
North Carolina lost three starters from an offensive line that allowed 49 sacks last season. The Tar Heels also brought in Gene Chizik and Tommy Thigpen to work as co-defensive coordinators.
Mountaineers Starters Comeback
The Appalachian State Mountaineers will see the return of seven starters on an offense that averaged 35 PPG and 6.3 yards per play:
- QB Chase Brice
- RBs Cameron Peoples and Nate Noell
- Four offensive linemen
The Mountaineers will be losing a big piece on defense in reigning Sun Belt defensive player of the year D’Marco Jackson.
Appalachian State will be returning to starting linebackers, including Nick Hamilton, who led them in sacks.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers Betting Preview
The North Carolina Tar Heels are -1½ after opening as three-point favorites, with the total being set at 56 for this matchup.
One thing I’m taking notice of in my Tar Heels vs. Mountaineers betting prediction is the moneyline on this game.
66% of bets are coming in on the Tar Heels, with Appalachian State getting 56% of the handle, signaling some sharp action coming in on the Mountaineers.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers Betting Prediction
Yes, the North Carolina Tar Heels are coming off a dominating win, but this Appalachian State defense isn’t the Florida A&M Rattlers.
For one of my lock college football picks against the spread this week, give me Appalachian State +1½ for my Tar Heels vs. Mountaineers betting prediction.
I would say take the money line, but the NCAAF odds on this one aren’t that juiced so just take the points.
NCAAF Pick: Mountaineers +7.5
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