North Carolina football vs. Charlotte first look: Odds, key matchup, player to watch
Football is back in Chapel Hill. Well, almost.
The Tar Heels return home to play Charlotte this Saturday in the first matchup between the programs. That game is set to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. at Kenan Stadium, where North Carolina will look to revamp its offense under quarterback Conner Harrell.
Harrell and the Tar Heels squeaked out a 19-17 win at Minnesota on Thursday after starting QB Max Johnson was sent to the hospital with a season-ending leg injury.
Noah Burnette’s four field goals, including a go-ahead 45-yarder with fewer than two minutes left, were crucial for the Tar Heels. Harrell stepped in and contributed with a key 32-yard pass that set up the winning kick.
Charlotte, on the other hand, suffered a loss in its season opener, falling to James Madison, 30-7.
“It’s interesting, because I’m not disappointed — there were so many things they did so well that we didn’t see last year,” head coach Biff Poggi told local media following the game. “So many things they did so well. Like I said to them at halftime, that was one of the worst halves of football you can play, and we’re down two points.”
Charlotte finished the 2023 season 3-9 for the second consecutive year. The team struggled throughout the season, both offensively and defensively. Despite some competitive games, the 49ers failed to establish consistency, leading to another disappointing season.
The lack of success ultimately led to significant changes in the team’s roster. The offense, traditionally focused on running the ball, now features a new dimension with quarterback Max Brown, a 6-foot-3 redshirt sophomore known for his arm strength, footwork, and leadership.
While the loss to JMU brings into question Poggi’s claim that this year’s team is “totally different” from the 3-9 squad of 2023, it’s clear the head coach is still confident in his squad.
“If you sat in that stadium and you watched that game and you don’t think this is a significantly better team than last year,” he told local media following the loss to JMU, “then you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
UNC, too, faces uncertainty. Johnson’s injury in the opener once again throws a wrench in North Carolina’s ongoing quarterback battle, with Harrell stepping in and Arkansas transfer Jacolby Criswell waiting in the wings. How the Tar Heels respond to Johnson’s absence will be crucial as UNC seeks stability and leadership under center.
Junior running back Omarion Hampton remains the forefront of UNC’s offense, especially with uncertainty at quarterback. As a powerful and consistent back — the junior handled the ball 30 times for 129 total yards on the ground against Minnesota — Hampton provides a reliable rushing game. His ability to break tackles and gain tough yards will be key against Charlotte, easing pressure on North Carolina’s questionable passing attack.
Defensively, the Tar Heels and coordinator Geoff Collins must step up to support the offense during this transitional period. Maintaining discipline and avoiding costly mistakes will be crucial. Missed tackles, pass interference calls and even an illegal formation penalty were some of the old habits that reared their ugly head against Minnesota on Thursday.
Key game matchup
This game will be won in the trenches. Think UNC’s defensive line vs. Charlotte’s offensive line. How well the Tar Heels’ D-line can disrupt the 49ers’ offense will be crucial.
Through just one game under Collins, North Carolina’s defense has shown significant improvement. The Tar Heels limited a Power 4 team to fewer than 20 points, a feat that seemed impossible last season. While Minnesota capitalized on a few UNC mistakes during its final drive — which set up the Golden Gophers 47-yard shot at a game-winning field goal — the Tar Heel defense stepped up throughout the game.
Key to this defensive resurgence on Thursday was defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie, who has transitioned from a reserve role last year to a starter. He led all players with three sacks and tackles for loss. He’ll look to build on his career-best performance — hawking players down and making clever use of angles — against Charlotte.
For Charlotte, the effectiveness of its offensive line in protecting Brown and establishing its run game will be tested against this revitalized UNC defensive front. How well the 49ers’ offensive line can handle the pressure from Ritzie and the Tar Heels will be pivotal.
UNC player to watch: Conner Harrell
For North Carolina, Harrell is a key player to watch. With Johnson out for the season, Harrell steps into a crucial role. The sophomore is known for his athleticism and playmaking ability, yet is largely unproven as the leader of the Tar Heels’ offense.
Last season, Harrell saw limited action behind Drake Maye. Then, in UNC’s 30-10 loss to West Virginia in the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Harrell completed 18 of 27 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown.
Betting odds
Spread: North Carolina Tar Heels -22.5
Total (Over/Under): 48.5 points
Moneyline: Charlotte 49ers +1000, North Carolina Tar Heels -1800
ESPN has UNC as the heavy favorite in betting odds, also giving North Carolina a 91.2% chance of beating Charlotte in its matchup predictor.
How to watch
The game can be seen on ACC Network. It can be streamed on services such as Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
Due to a recent dispute between DIRECTV and Disney, which resulted in a blackout of Disney-owned channels like ABC and ESPN, it is unclear at the time of publication if DIRECTV will carry ACC Network for this game.
North Carolina vs. Charlotte
When: Saturday, Sept. 7, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill
TV: ACC Network
Series: This is the first matchup between the two programs.