UNC vs App State football first look: Top storylines, players to watch, betting odds
It’s finally here. North Carolina makes its first trip to Boone to face Appalachian State in what may be the most-anticipated game in Kidd Brewer Stadium history.
It’s just the third time in a series that dates back to 1940 that the schools have played. UNC remembers the second time, a 34-31 loss in Chapel Hill during the first season of coach Mack Brown’s return in 2019.
The last time a non-conference game had this much buzz for the Mountaineers was back in 2016 when Miami became the first school from the Power Five conference era visit Boone. The Hurricanes were ranked No. 20 at the time and emerged with a 45-10 win.
The betting public, at least, believes this game will be much closer than that. Carolina opened as a slight favorite, but so many have wagered on the Mountaineers that most betting lines currently have App State as either the favorite or the line sits evenly as a pick ‘em game.
Battle in the trenches
Carolina’s defensive line helped stuff Florida A&M’s running game, limiting it to just 56 yards rushing and only one carry for more than 10 yards.
UNC also recorded three sacks, although Brown believes the defense should have generated more. The positive for the Heels is that all three sacks came from just rushing four players, which was a goal entering the season. They’ll perhaps be challenged a bit more this week going against a veteran line.
App State returned four of its starters on the offensive line from last season including left tackle Anderson Hardy, who has started 16 straight games, and right tackle Cooper Hodges, a three-time All-Sun Belt selection.
Mirror issues
App State enters its opener with a similar question on offense that UNC had a week ago. Carolina had a bunch of unproven receivers with the exception of Josh Downs, who set program records last season in receptions and yards.
The Mountaineers don’t have the equivalent of Downs. They lost their top four receivers from last season who accounted for nearly 75 percent of the team’s catches and receiving touchdowns and 80 percent of their total receiving yards.
They’ll be looking for someone to emerge as a lead target. Christian Wells is the leading receiver returning from last season with 12 catches for 243 yards and two scores.
Three App State players to watch
Chase Brice, QB: Yes, that Chase Brice, who played for Clemson from 2017-19, Duke in 2020 and last season with the Mountaineers. Brice is taking advantage of a sixth year thanks to the NCAA waiver for the pandemic-plagued 2020 season. Last year, he lead the Sun Belt Conference with 3,337 passing yards, which bested former App State legend Armanti Edwards for the school’s single-season passing record.
Stephen Jones Jr., DB: The fifth-year senior was tied for second nationally with five interceptions including three pick-6 returns for touchdowns last season. He also ranked in the top 20 nationally with 13 passes defended.
Camrun Peoples, RB: Peoples led the Sun Belt with 14 rushing touchdowns last season. He also ranked third in the league with 926 rushing yards — all while starting only four games for the Mountaineers.
Three UNC players to watch
Drake Maye, QB: Maye’s five touchdowns in his debut were great and all, but what’s he going to do in a hostile environment? Maye’s first road start may be a better barometer than how he played in the home opener as to what kind of player the Heels have.
Donte Balfour, CB: The redshirt freshman replaced starting cornerback Tony Grimes, who went out with an upper body injury, midway through the first quarter of the Heels’ win over Florida A&M. If Grimes is unable play or is still hobbled, Balfour could make the first start of his career.
Omarion Hampton, RB: The freshman from Clayton was the first Tar Heel to rush for 100 yards in his first game since program legend Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice did in 1946. Now what will he do for an encore?
UNC at App State game and TV info
Who: UNC (1-0) vs. Appalachian State (0-0)
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone
When: Noon, Saturday
TV: ESPNU
Stream: ESPN+
Vegas betting odds
The Tar Heels opened as a 1.5-point favorite, but as of Sunday evening the game is listed as pick ‘em according to Caesar’s Sportsbook.
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 8:51 AM.