UNC football vs Georgia State first look: Top storylines, players to watch and odds
North Carolina ended its road losing streak in thrilling fashion last Saturday at Appalachian State with a 63-61 victory that came down to the game’s final plays. As the Tar Heels prepare to face another Sun Belt Conference opponent on the road, they could be in for another close battle at Georgia State.
UNC defeated the Panthers last season, 59-17, at Kenan Stadium, but this looks to be a much improved Georgia State team.
The Panthers (0-1) led South Carolina 14-12 in the third quarter, before the Gamecocks blocked two punts and returned both for touchdowns en route to a 35-14 win. GSU outgained the Gamecocks 311-306 in total offense. Its defense also picked off heralded quarterback Spencer Rattler, an Oklahoma transfer, twice and sacked him three times.
Staying offensive
North Carolina’s offense has been tough to stop the first two games. The Heels average 587.5 yards per game and 7.9 yards per play. By comparison, they finished last season with 468.2 yards per game and 6.8 yards per play.
Quarterback Drake Maye has been at the forefront of their outburst, completing 72 percent of his passes with an efficiency rating of 187.6.
Special teams factor
If there’s one area the Panthers proved to be especially vulnerable, it was in their kicking game. Of those punts South Carolina blocked, one came from a rush straight up the middle of their line. The second came from an edge rusher.
While Georgia State is surely trying to shore up its blocking this week, the Heels probably feel like it’s an area they can exploit. UNC had four different players combine for five blocked kicks last season.
The Panthers were also fooled by a fake field goal, allowing a long snapper to run for a first down that led to the Gamecocks’ first touchdown.
The Heels have been solid on special teams through two games, but haven’t gotten a momentum-swinging play that has changed a game. Bryson Nesbit did have a 43-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against App State in the game’s closing seconds. But it was a play UNC coach Mack Brown wanted him to fall down so the offense could run out the clock. By scoring, Carolina left the Mountaineers 31 seconds to tie the game and they almost did just that.
Three Georgia State players to watch
Darren Grainger, QB: He’s more of a running threat in Georgia State’s system and helped power a ground game that gained 200 yards at South Carolina in the opener. Although he played backup last season in the Panthers’ game at UNC, Grainger was the team’s leading rusher with 56 yards.
Quavian White, CB: The two-time, All-Sun Belt selection picked off South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler twice in the opener, which moved him into a tie with teammate Antavious Lane for the program lead with nine career interceptions.
Jamyest Williams, RB: A sixth-year senior, Williams made the All-SEC freshman team as a defensive back in 2017 when he played at South Carolina. He transferred to Georgia State where he’s played running back. He led the team with 76 rushing yards in the opener against the Gamecocks.
Three UNC players to watch
Drake Maye, QB: Maye has answered a lot of questions with his play during the opening two games for the Tar Heels. Facing a Panthers defense that features two good cornerbacks, the next question: How long can Maye go without throwing a pick? He currently sits at nine touchdowns with no interceptions through 73 attempts.
Byrson Nesbit, TE: Nesbit has scored touchdowns in both of the Heels’ games and is tied for the team lead with running back Omarion Hampton with three overall. He’s also tied with J.J. Jones for the most receiving yards at 100.
Cedric Gray, LB: Gray had 13 tackles and an interception against App State and now leads the team with 19 tackles. Against a Georgia State team that likes to run, he’ll have a chance to add a lot more to his total on Saturday.
Vegas betting odds
The Tar Heels are an eight-point favorite, according to Caesars Sportsbook.
UNC at Georgia State game and TV info
Who: UNC (2-0) vs. Georgia State (0-1)
Where: Center Parc Stadium, Atlanta
When: Noon, Saturday
TV: ESPNU
Stream: ESPN+
This story was originally published September 5, 2022 at 8:10 AM with the headline "UNC football vs Georgia State first look: Top storylines, players to watch and odds."