Appalachian State Mountaineers vs North Carolina Tar Heels Prediction, 9/9/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Appalachian State Mountaineers vs North Carolina Tar Heels

Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023

Location: Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Tar Heels (-16)

Total/Over-Under: 62

Kenan Stadium is the site where the North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0) will go up against the Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-0) on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Appalachian State opens this game as 16-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total is 62.

The Appalachian State Mountaineers head into this matchup 1-0 for this year. In their last matchup, the Mountaineers faced off with the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs and notched a win by a score of 45-24. Nate Noel was the rushing leader for the Mountaineers with 24 totes for 117 yds (4.9 yards per carry). Joey Aguilar finished 11/13 with 174 yds through the air and 4 TDs. He had a QB rating of 298.6 and ended the game without throwing a pick. Against the rush, the Mountaineers conceded 129 yards on 29 tries, which calculates to 4.4 yards per rush surrendered. Appalachian State surrendered 30 pass completions on 46 attempts for 231 yds, and a completion percentage of 65.2%. On the day, they had 67 plays which gave them 394 yards. The Appalachian State Mountaineers ended up rushing 43 times and amassed 150 yards, which earned them an average of 3.5 yards per carry.

The Mountaineers have tallied 394 total yards this season. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Appalachian State has earned 5 passing touchdowns and 1 touchdown on the ground. They have given the ball to the opposition 0 different times. Appalachian State has earned 24 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 2 penalties for 20 yds. As a team they average 150.0 yards via the ground game which is 64th in the country. When it comes to scoring, the Appalachian State Mountaineers are sitting at 45.0 points per outing.

Concerning passing yardage, the Mountaineers have given up 231 yds which has them ranked 76th in the nation. They have conceded 231.0 yards per outing via the pass as well as giving up a completion percentage of 65.2%. In total, they are granting 360.0 yards per contest which has them ranked 81st in D-1. They have granted 1 touchdown by air and 2 touchdowns via the ground game. The opposition is running for an average of 4.4 yards per run and 129.0 yards on the ground per contest so far this year. Over the course of this season, they have allowed 129 running yards through 1 game. The Mountaineers rank 77th in the nation regarding team defense, allowing 24.0 points per contest.

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The Tar Heels head into this matchup 1-0 for this season. For their last game, the Tar Heels walked away with a victory by a final of 31-17 when they played the South Carolina Gamecocks. Drake Maye (2 touchdowns) ended the contest with 269 yards on 24/32 through the air while his QB rating was 153.7. He tossed 2 interceptions and his average yards per attempt was 8.4. British Brooks carried the ball 15 times for 103 yards, walking away from the game with 6.9 yards per carry for North Carolina. North Carolina ran for 4.3 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 168 yds on 39 carries. The Tar Heels finished the game with 437 yds on 71 plays (6.2 yds per play). The Tar Heels passing defense allowed a completion percentage of 76.9%, relinquishing 353 yds on 30 out of 39 passing. North Carolina conceded 31 rushing attempts for -2 yards (-0.1 yds per carry).

The North Carolina Tar Heels hold an average of 437.0 yards per outing, which is good for 50th in the nation. The North Carolina offense has accrued 49 penalty yds on 7 violations, which ranks 54th in the country in terms of hurting your team. They have tossed 2 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover no fumbles and they have been able to record 21 first downs. Regarding their ability to score points, the Tar Heels rank 68th in college football with an average of 31.0 PPG.

North Carolina has allowed a total of -2 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground on the season. They have surrendered no TDs from the passing game and 353.0 yards/outing, ranking them 121st in college football. They have compiled no fumbles recovered and no picks for the year. The Tar Heels defense has taken the field for 70 plays, which is good for 81st in college football. The Tar Heels are surrendering 17.0 points per game, which has them ranked 58th in the nation. In total, they have allowed 17 points.

Who will win tonight's Mountaineers/Tar Heels college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Mountaineers +16

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