UNC Football vs. Charlotte: Game info, preview, prediction and more

A chance to go 2-0 looms for the UNC Football program as they welcome in the Charlotte 49ers for their non-conference game in Chapel Hill

The UNC Football team returns to the field on Saturday as they look to go 2-0 on this young season and standing in their way of that are the Charlotte 49ers.

This will be the lone non-conference game for the No. 12 Tar Heels this season as they are fresh off a win over Syracuse in Week 1. UNC’s non-conference options were limited with the ACC only allowing in-state games as the options, restricting travel as much as possible.

While the Tar Heels were 22 point favorites over Syracuse in Week 1, they enter this matchup against Charlotte as big favorites again. UNC is a 30-point favorite for their first ever meeting with in-state foe Charlotte and things could get ugly on Saturday.

The 49ers are missing their quarterback Chris Reynolds as he suffered an upper body injury in the loss to Appalachian State last week. Dom Shoffner will get the start in place of Reynolds and you better believe UNC is going to bring the pressure. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman will likely send the blitz early and often in this one, hoping to throw a few different looks at Shoffner and force him into tough decisions.

Last week, we saw Syracuse move the ball a bit on UNC’s defense but it was a bend and don’t break approach as the Tar Heels stopped them when they needed to the most. The Orange didn’t really convert their drives into touchdowns, let alone points and it was a big difference maker.

Going up against a team without their starting quarterback could mean a big day for the Tar Heels’ defense.

On the offensive side of the football, it wasn’t a big season debut for UNC quarterback Sam Howell but he didn’t play bad either. Howell finished with two interceptions and just one touchdown but he was slinging it back there in the pocket. Another week of preparation with his guys and Howell should have a much better game this time around.

UNC’s offense was led by their run game with the duo of Michael Carter and Javonte Williams leading the way. Both had big games on the ground and set up the offense with the rushing attack. A good run game will open up more things on the offense including some playaction, which should make Howell even more dangerous.

While we don’t take any game for granted, this game shouldn’t be a tough one for the Tar Heels but they also cant overlook this 49ers team with a bye week ahead.

UNC key to victory

Play your game. A 30-point spread is A LOT and the Tar Heels are heavily favored in this one against Charlotte. The biggest key will to avoid the letdown. With the bye week coming up next week, UNC can’t afford to have a let down and lose to Charlotte.

This is a game you’re supposed to win and one that can help you build some more momentum going into the rest of the ACC schedule. Play a sound game, get up early and dominate. That’s what it should take.

Something to watch for UNC

Injuries. In games like this, you always want to come out injury free and that’s the case for UNC going into Saturday. They can’t lose an important player that will create some obstacles as they finish up their ACC schedule.

Stay healthy and get the W. Doing so could mean getting up big on Charlotte and letting the backups play in the second half to give them some run. That’s the ideal scenario and let’s hope that happens.

What you need to know

WHAT?  Charlotte 49ers (0-1) AT North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0)
WHEN? Saturday, September 19th, 3:30 pm ET
WHERE? Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? RCN
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Cloudy, 55 degrees with 10 percent chance of rain
LINE? UNC -29.5
ALL-TIME SERIES? First meeting
PREDICTION? UNC 48, Charlotte 10