Whenever an ACC school takes on a mid-major, casual fans from the 3 time zones opposite the east coast are generally drawn to cheer for the underdog.
It’s nothing against the proud conference of which Clemson, FSU, and Miami are representatives.
Rather, it’s the natural inclination of fans to cheer for the little guys. Aww, aren’t they adorable taking on those big-shots? Come on, App State, do it like it’s the Big House 10 years ago!
But this time I’m not so sure. The Mountaineers are headed to visit North Carolina on Saturday afternoon, and there are a few reasons why casual observers might feel a pull to root for Chapel Hill.
It’s not like the UNC program has been a powerhouse. The Tar Heels might play in a Power-5 conference, but they haven’t put a Power-5 level squad on the field for a number of years. App State meanwhile is not a thrash-for-cash patsy but a dangerous guest despite hailing from the relatively-weak Sun Belt conference.
North Carolina is also threatening to become a resurrection story. The ‘Heels knocked-off Miami in Week 2 after surprising South Carolina of the SEC in the opener, standing at 2-1 after a close-shave loss to Wake Forest in the 3rd scrum of Mack Brown’s tenure.
Besides, who can’t root for an old coach who does this in the dressing room?
The U is dead. Let Mack Brown dance on their grave. pic.twitter.com/NHWoe9zj7U
— JFed (@HeyJFed) September 8, 2019
I’ll respectfully disagree with “Homie” on that. I think the Miami program will be back to winning pretty soon. But the fact that the Hurricanes are no slouch just makes UNC’s early run more impressive.
Gamblers aren’t dismayed by the loss to Wake – North Carolina opened as a FG favorite at CFB betting pages and remained that way for the Saturday afternoon kickoff.
Who: Appalachian State Mountaineers at North Carolina Tar Heels
When: Saturday, September 21st, 3:30 PM EST
Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
Lines: APP ST (+3) at UNC (-3) / O/U Total: (58)
Brown is doing more than practicing some cobblestone dance moves. He’s improving the offensive line play by leaps and bounds, and has himself a developing QB and a potential star RB (or 2) to work with.
Sam Howell’s pass attempts are wisely being limited, and the freshman is responding to the favorable play-calling and pass-protection with quality throws and few mistakes. Howell was 16-of-24 for 200+ yards and 2 touchdowns against the Hurricanes, and went interception-free last weekend while leading a furious 4th-quarter comeback effort vs the unbeaten Demon Deacons.
Meanwhile, Brown’s offense is giving at least 1 tailback per week the chance to shine. Javonte Williams rushed for 100+ yards in the Week 1 victory and excelled against the ‘Canes in a follow-up performance. Week 3’s loss is attributable to a slow start, plenty of mental errors, and a tough match-up. But that didn’t stop running back Michael Carter from showing that there is already ample depth congealing in the offensive backfield.
Plus, UNC might not have even lost the 3rd game at all if it weren’t for an unfair ruling:
North Carolina and Wake Forest squared off in a non-conference game on Friday night and it culminated in a wild finish after a pretty uneventful first three quarters.
It was all Demon Deacons for the first three quarters, but the Tar Heels stormed back from a 21-0 deficit to cut it to three before falling to the Demon Deacons by a score of 24-18 on Friday night at BB&T Field in Winston-Salem.
The finish wasn’t without controversy, however, as there was a clock mishap on the final play of the game when it appeared that UNC running back Michael Carter had stepped out of bounds with a second to play after converting on a fourth-and short, which would’ve given the Tar Heels one final shot at the end zone. But the official on the sideline motioned for the clock to run and the play was never reviewed.
You wonder how the team will respond to the huge letdown. The defense is a lunch-bucket unit that is getting by with strong fundamentals and a pass rush led by freakish LB Tomon Fox. Special teams is pretty good but always a work-in-progress with a new coaching staff. Yet Brown is the type of veteran hand to keep kids focused at all times.
Where does that leave the Mountaineers? App State hasn’t had to play a Power-5 opponent since losing to Penn State in OT early in the 2018 campaign, but has lost 1 measly football game since then (to rival Georgia Southern). The program has held serve in 2 games so far in 2019, but labored against the usually-hapless Charlotte 49ers last time out.
Penn State is in danger against teams like App State because James Franklin’s coaching style encourages the squad to take everyone a little too seriously and play just a little too tight sometimes, just as Jim Harbaugh’s style at Michigan is a blessing and a curse in the same fashion. (It’s a Big Ten thing.)
Brown won’t be screaming at his charges that they’re about to play Godzilla. He’s coached against and beaten plenty of mid-major schools with a relaxed businesslike approach.
UNC is a pretty good ATS bet at (-3). However, I’m thinking North Carolina might run-up a big lead on a team that hasn’t played an ACC school in forever, followed by the Mountaineers adjusting to the speed of play and looking competitive, even dangerous in the 2nd half.
Therefore I’m liking a possible in-play wager on App State to cover if (and shortly after) UNC goes up by 15-20 points in the 2nd quarter.