Both the UNC and App State football programs are riding high after Week 1 victories.
The Tar Heels rode a strong ground game and uncharacteristically strong defensive effort to a 31-17 victory over South Carolina, while the Mountaineers came back in the third quarter to down FCS opponent Gardner-Webb, 45-24.
Coincidentally, UNC and App are now just two days away from clashing in Week 2 action. We all remember what happened when these two in-state rivals last took the gridiron – a combined 62 fourth-quarter points, including 19 in the final 31 seconds.
The Tar Heels are currently favored by 17.5 points. They have a stud at QB in Drake Maye, while the Mountaineers are waiting to see if either Jake Burger or Joey Aguilar will suit up Saturday. UNC has a deep running back room that App State does not have. Both teams have relatively inexperienced wide receiver groups, but Carolina has the clear advantage in tight ends.
Expect UNC to win in dominant fashion, as this Mountaineers team is fairly inexperienced, but also expect a close battle.