Appalachian State vs North Carolina Betting Preview: More Offensive Fireworks On Tap?

Maye and Tar Heels Look to Air It Out Against the Mountaineers Once Again

When it comes to the Appalachian State vs North Carolina betting preview, the teams have a tough act to follow after the Tar Heels survived in a 63-61 thriller between the squads last season.

Both teams come into the game with 1-0 records as Appalachian State rolled past Gardner-Webb 45-24 in the season opener. The Mountaineers failed to cover as 22.5-point favorites. North Carolina topped South Carolina 31-17 as a 2.5-point favorite. The game fell well short of the 63.5-point total.

When looking at the NCAAF predictions, Saturday’s game currently lists North Carolina as the 18-point favorite with the total set at 58. The line opened with the Tar Heels favored by 16.5 points and the total set at 61.

North Carolina (+650) trails only Florida State and Clemson in the odds to win the ACC championship. Appalachian State (+550) is behind Troy, South Alabama and Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt championship odds.

North Carolina (+10000) is tied for 19th in the national championship odds.

When looking at the NCAA football rankings, North Carolina moved up four spots in both national polls as the Tar Heels are 16th in the coaches’ poll and 17th in the Associated Press poll.

Mountaineers Airing It Out

There was a time when Appalachian State was known as a run-first offense. The Mountaineers averaged more than 200 rushing yards in their first seven seasons after making the move to the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

In the 2023 season opener, the Mountaineers ran the ball on 43 of 67 plays. However, the passing game came through with five plays of at least 20 yards and that could play a role in the Appalachian State vs North Carolina betting preview.

Five different players scored touchdowns in the win over Gardner-Webb with Kaedin Robinson, Dashaun Davis, Christian Horn and Dalton Stroman had touchdown catches with Nate Noel having 114 rushing yards and a touchdown. Noel ran for 116 yards and two TDs in last year’s game against North Carolina.

The Mountaineers averaged 14.4 yards per catch versus the Tar Heels in 2022 and look to repeat that performance.

Maye Back for More

The first of Drake Maye’s seven 300-yard passing games in 2022 came against Appalachian State as he was 24-of-36 passing for 352 yards with four touchdown passes. He added 76 rushing yards and another TD in the 63-61 win. Keep that in mind when in comes to the Appalachian State vs North Carolina betting preview.

With Josh Downs off to the NFL, six different receivers had at least two catches against South Carolina. Kobe Paysour led the way with seven catches.

Maye is 10th in the current Heisman Trophy odds as he is priced at +2200 to win the top individual honor in college football and a performance like he had in the 2022 matchup with Appalachian State figure to help his Heisman odds.

After allowing 436.5 yards per game in 2022, North Carolina held South Carolina to 351 yards with nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss played a role in the win.

Last Meeting

It was a tough outing for the scoreboard operator, especially in the fourth quarter as the teams combined for 62 points in that quarter alone in the 2022 meeting.

The game went over the 55.5-point total early in the third quarter as the Mountaineers and Tar Heels combined for 1216 yards of offense and 10 touchdown passes.

Appalachian State won 34-31 in 2019 as the 2.5-point underdog with the game landing over the 58-point total.

What To Expect

When looking at this weekend’s college football schedule, do not expect another 124-point showdown even though the teams have plenty of playmakers on offense.

The majority of the early money came in on the game going over the total and that resulted in the total trending down.

North Carolina was 6-7-1 against the spread in 2022. The Tar Heels were just 2-4 against the spread as the home favorite with Appalachian State covering in its only matchup as a road underdog.

The Mountaineers have failed to cover in each of their last six games and are 1-5 against the spread in the last six road games.

Quarterback Ryan Burger is expected to miss multiple weeks with a finger injury for Appalachian State. For North Carolina, tight end Julien Randolph is out for the season while receiver Nate McCollum is questionable.

The 2019 win over North Carolina is the only win among the last nine games against ACC teams.

The total has gone under in six of North Carolina’s last seven games.

North Carolina is 1-5 in the last six games against the NCAA football predictions as a three-score favorite. Appalachian State has covered in four of the last six games when listed as a double-digit underdog.

For college football betting news, odds analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Want more articles like this? Check these out:

• Wisconsin vs Washington State Preview: Badgers Face First Road Test Under Fickell
• Texas vs Alabama Preview: Tide Look to Make Statement
• Mississippi vs Tulane Odds: Rebels Favored by 7 in Ranked Matchup
• Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh Betting Preview: Panthers Favored Over Bearcats
• Troy vs Kansas State Odds: Wildcats Favored to Roll as Double-Digit Favorites