San Diego State Aztecs at #21 North Carolina Tar Heels
Kenan Stadium – Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Saturday, September 6, 2014, 8:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNews
Opening Line: North Carolina -13 1/2
Current Line: North Carolina -15
Opening Total: 60
Current Total: 60
Opening Money Line: North Carolina -800 / San Diego State +550
Current Money Line: North Carolina -850 / San Diego State +575
San Diego State and North Carolina meet for just the second time ever Saturday in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels won the only previous meeting against the Aztecs 20-13 in the 1998 Las Vegas Bowl. This is not part of a home and home and this is the only scheduled meeting between the teams.
San Diego State is coached by Rocky Long. The Aztecs opened the season last week as 18 point favorites at home against Northern Arizona and the total was 49.5. San Diego State won 38-7.
North Carolina is coached by Larry Fedora. The Tar Heels opened the season with a 56-29 win at home over Liberty. North Carolina failed to cover the 30.5 point spread and there was no total on the game.
San Diego State was never threatened against Northern Arizona. The Aztecs took a 24-0 lead into halftime. NAU finally got on the board midway through the third to make it 24-7 but SDSU would go on to win 38-7.
San Diego State had 399 total yards including 194 rushing yards. Northern Arizona had 312 total yards including 188 passing yards. Each team had one turnover. The Aztecs had 25 first downs to 14 for the Lumberjacks. NAU was 5/16 on third and fourth down conversions, and SDSU was 6/12.
San Diego State quarterback Quinn Kaehler completed 18 of 29 passes for 205 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Running back Donnell Pumphrey had 19 carries for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus a catch for 31 yards. Chase Price had 11 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown, plus 2 catches for 22 yards. Ezell Ruffin and Eric Judge each had at least 51 receiving yards.
North Carolina got off to sluggish start against Liberty last week and even trailed 15-14 in the second quarter with 1:37 left. The Tar Heels would score to take a 21-15 lead into halftime. Liberty scored a defensive touchdown to lead 22-21 early in the third. The Tar Heels would then score 28 straight points to close out the third and take control of the game 49-22. The two teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth to make the final 56-29.
North Carolina had 443 total yards including 208 rushing yards. Liberty had 346 total yards including 157 rushing yards. The game was sloppy on both sides with a combined 10 turnovers including 6 by Liberty. Each team had a defensive touchdown. The Tar Heels overcame 10 penalties for 60 yards. North Carolina had 29 first downs to 15 for Liberty. The Flames were 5/14 on third down conversions, and the Tar Heels were 9/18.
North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams completed 19/29 passes for 169 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, and he also had 6 carries for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns. Back-up Mitch Trubisky completed 10 of 16 passes for 66 yards with a touchdown and interception. Running back Charles Brunson had 9 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Ryan Switzer had 8 catches for 43 yards.
San Diego State is 6-0 ATS after allowing 20 points or less, 5-1 overall, 8-3 after a straight up win, 5-2 against teams with winning records, 9-4 against teams with winning home records, and 1-5 in September.
North Carolina is 4-1 ATS against teams with winning records, 7-2 overall and on grass, 13-5 at home, 5-2 after failing to cover, 7-16 after a straight up win of 20 points or more, 3-8 after scoring more than 40 points and rushing for more than 200 yards.
North Carolina had way too many turnovers and penalties last week and were fortunate to be playing such an inferior foe like Liberty. San Diego State is much better but must travel across country. I think the Tar Heels pull away in the second half but the Aztecs hand around for a while.
Get a full season of college football picks for just $699 and get the NFL picks as well.
