UNC Football vs. Georgia State: Game preview, prediction and more

The UNC Football program returns to action on Saturday night for their first home game of the season. And it’s a “get right” game for Mack Brown’s team following a disappointing 17-10 loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies last week.

UNC is lucky to still be ranked this week, falling from No. 10 to No. 24 in the AP Top 25 poll that was released last on Tuesday. While Brown’s team got off to a slow start in the first half, there were a few bright spots in the second half led by the defense and receiver Josh Downs.

But overall, there is a lot of work to do with this team.

For UNC, the Georgia State game may have come at the perfect time. The Tar Heels are 0-1 and really need to get things straightened out and while nothing is guaranteed in college football, they are facing a Georgia State team that lost 43-10 to Army. And it was ugly early on for them.

This is a chance for the Tar Heels to work on the little things like offensive line, running the ball more, getting better in the secondary and getting Sam Howell into a rhythm. But we can also learn a lot about games like this.

The Tar Heels should win this game handedly. If they don’t and it’s a close one, then there is reason to be worried. If UNC doesn’t come out and jump up big on Georgia State, putting the game away by halftime then there is a lot to be concerned about. Realistically, this game should give UNC a chance to not only get right but also give a player like Drake Maye or Jacolby Criswell the opportunity to play.

UNC can’t overlook this game either or they could end up like Washington last week and be upset at home.

Key to Victory for UNC

Get right and play your game. The Tar Heels are the more talented team going into this one and Saturday night should provide them the chance to prove that. This offense needs to find its groove and put up points early. No punts. Only scores. That should be their goal in this one.

With a stretch of five-straight ACC games looming, it’s time to get this thing on track. Use this game to get right and that starts early on Saturday night.

Something to Watch

The run game. Believe it or not, UNC was actually pretty efficient in running the football against Virginia Tech. They averaged 4.9 yards per attempt led by Ty Chandler’s 6.6 yards per carry average in the game. D.J. Jones also averaged 7.3 yards per carry, rushing for 43 yards on 6 carries in the game.

The problem was, UNC fell behind early and abandoned the run too soon. That shouldn’t happen with this team and especially on Saturday vs. Georgia State. Let’s get this run game going early and often, setting more things up in play action for Howell.

What you need to know

WHAT? Georgia State Panthers (0-1) AT North Carolina Tar Heels (0-1, 0-1 in ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, September 11th at 7:30 p.m. EDT
WHERE? Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
TV? ESPN3
RADIO? Tar Heels Sports Network
WEATHER? Partly cloudy and 84 degrees
LINE? UNC -26
LAST MEETING? First meeting between the two teams
ALL-TIME SERIES? 0-0
PREDICTION? UNC 48, Georgia State 9

For more on the UNC Football program including coverage of this game, please check back with Keeping It Heel.